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Rainmaker
4,572,514
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Once again, the answer will depend on some additional factors.  How did we "meet"?   Have we discussed "waiting"or discussed anything beyond "I want to see houses now and I am not buying for at least a year"?   Discussions matter.  

Feb 23, 2020 05:39 AM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

    Why are you waiting a year?  Finances?  Selling another house?  Playing the market?  Getting married?  What kind of house are you hoping to purchase?  Tell me more.

Feb 23, 2020 06:47 AM
Rainmaker
693,775
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

I send them listings, for sure and I let them know that I am willing to show them homes any time they want to see one.  Sometimes, they see a home that they can't live without and move their time line.  Sometimes, they realize they are looking in areas that they really do not like.  I also find that when they are ready to move forward, they understand the market better and are ready to be aggressive (if they need to be) when they see the right house at the right time.

Feb 23, 2020 08:02 AM
Rainmaker
1,197,555
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Build the relationship over time, don't lose connection.  Don't push and vomit real estate at every meeting.  Show value, work harder. 

Explore the reason they are putting off a decision for that long.  If they can not buy now, it might not make sense that they might buy in the future.  

Feb 23, 2020 06:39 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Drip campaign.

Feb 23, 2020 07:59 AM
Ambassador
5,230,148
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Great question. I don't often have that 1-year wait but, I would probably meet with them to ask questions so I can glean a better picture of their wants & needs.

I do continue to keep in touch with them and if one hits the market that is exactly what I am confident is THE one, I definitely reach out to schedule a showing with them.

Feb 23, 2020 07:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

meet face to face..... have an understanding of how you will proceed .....

Feb 23, 2020 07:19 AM
Rainer
382,309
Sally Lawrence
Advantage Real Estate - Tehachapi, CA
Broker, CHS, e-Pro, SFR, REALTOR®

I do not show houses to a prospect that is not in a position to buy.

First, I would explore with them what's important about waiting a year or longer and if that's not something that can be adjusted I would offer them a Buyer Rep agreement and start the education process with them so that when they are ready time-wise they are also ready and educated about the undertaking.

This is also an opportunity to get additional referrals from the prospect during the process.

Feb 23, 2020 06:59 AM
Ambassador
2,062,265
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I love the concept of "calibrating" them.

I think of it more as helping them get their feet wet, and giving me an opportunity to learn about their likes and dislikes... so that when we really do start looking we will all recognize a good fit when we see it.

Feb 23, 2020 06:20 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,303
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Reminds me of short-term investment versus long-term. What to do depends on the business model or plan one operates with. Opportunities are there

Feb 23, 2020 06:04 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It will depend. Do i know the buyer? Have they bought or sold with me before? Are they a referral? Why are they waiting a year? Can i sign them as a buyer broker now? There are many factors that can change that buyer from waiting a year to buying now. 

Feb 23, 2020 05:47 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

NEVER allow room for another agent to give then, your buyer, the  props they are seeking. It should be noted in order to 'select' a neighborhood, a price point must be determined. That is when you learn a lot about the Internet lead.

Feb 23, 2020 05:40 AM
Ambassador
3,345,221
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I would spend time consulting with the would maybe be buyer - ask a lot of questions and explain the buying process.  I would not show any homes to said would-maybe-be-buyer until they are ready to make a purchase. 

There are always exceptions to be made .... depending ...???

Feb 23, 2020 10:04 AM
Rainmaker
1,503,028
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

If they're 1+ years out, they're not a buyer, they're at best a super cold lead.  I'll add them to my email newsletter list, but that's it.  The market will be drastically different in 1 year, let alone more than that, so there is no point in wasting their time (and mine) showing them what won't be there by the time they're eventually ready.

Feb 23, 2020 09:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,321
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I am not inclined to spend time on someone not RWA, NOW< 60ish. Technology makes it easy to familiarize a future buyer with the realities and shifts of the local market.
Auto emails work. 
The thing about our resort/vacation/second home market is people come out for sport and want to view homes for curiosity. 
Imagine if every buyer in your pipeline was 'not ready now or later even' and you were indulging them all . . . 
"How to go under fast. . ."

Feb 23, 2020 08:24 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

It's a tough call. Next year prices will be different. I will assume they just signed a lease so which is it - rent or buy? My business model will wait up to 6 months but then after that I believe they are a tire kicker.

Feb 23, 2020 06:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Sure. Building relationships is the name of the game.

Feb 23, 2020 06:23 AM
Rainmaker
5,217,381
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

What is here today is gone tomorrow. No use in looking at what you cannot have. So, if you want to sign a long term buyer exclusive buyers agreement we can begin the process slowly.

Feb 23, 2020 06:14 AM
Rainmaker
900,278
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

If buyers amenable, show them some neighborhoods maybe and a couple of "sample homes"; stay in touch!

Feb 23, 2020 05:47 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,873
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Happens a lot as I meet people planning their retirement or first purchase. 99% of my buyers are referred so I allow for this need. I tell them that I'm happy to show them up to 3 properties to get them informed on our market, as long as they are communicative when I check in-I keep in touch. I have 3 buyers doing that now, since 2019. Once we get to the proposed target month, I require a preapproval. I also closed one in 2020 from early 2019 and I'm actively showing a summer 2019 buyer property now.

Feb 23, 2020 01:00 PM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Every client is different, but I let them know that it can't hurt to be updated on the market now so that in the event they find something now that they are ready.  I have found about 1/3 of the time they end up buying sooner rather than later.

Feb 23, 2020 11:41 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

No, I do not bother...what they look at today is not the price it will be next year.  At best I will chat with them and put them on an auto-mailer.

You cannot calibrate the market here...properties here appreciate about 10% a year and in some areas 20%.

If they plan to rent first, I am really not interested...there will be tons of hungry agents they will meet and at their new job they will find more people with a license that are chomping at the bit to rebate commission.

Not my kind of buyers.

I only want ready, willing and able...

Eve

Feb 23, 2020 11:27 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,665
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I have done both depending on the buyer.   You want to build a rapport with them, and keep them interested.  Most I would recommend shopping on-line.

Feb 23, 2020 10:05 AM
Ambassador
3,126,190
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Like any other business relationship, it’s important to establish a rapport and prove you are their agent now and when they are ready to buy.

Feb 23, 2020 08:45 AM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Each person is unique. Developing relationships and providing obligation often involves showing property. When you take time to show homes, the buyer is often more willing to work with you in the future when they are ready to buy.

Feb 23, 2020 08:16 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

I would start with a Buyer Consultation Session 

at it I would sign the up for overnight property search 

I would tell them the next step is Pre-Approval 

once that is complete we can start viewing listings 

I would follow them up monthly until they were ready to buy

Feb 23, 2020 06:06 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

If you do not maintain a relationship with them you won't be doing any business with them in a year 

Feb 24, 2020 08:26 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,772
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

The decision to see houses not is up them. Make them aware that what they are seeing now will not be available a year later.

I put them on our monthly newsletter mailing list and I call quarterly just to sty in touch and be top-of-mind when they are ready.

I also ask them to let me know if they get curious about the new houses that are being built. I suggest that we go see them so that I can register them with the builder. The may decided to buy a house that will not be delivered for several months. They may also decide not to wait a year so it is important to stay in touch.

Feb 23, 2020 01:16 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

ARMS,

I am agreeing with Michael Jacobs once again.  In our commercial practice we have some clients needing to wait a year, because their lease was expiring or they wanted a larger space for their offices or business.  We did do a tour both to build a relationship and understand their specific needs.  Sometimes we were able to sublet their original space and place them in the perfect place.  The same treatment to those who wanted to buy a building, we knew the majority of the owners in our marketplace, so we could take them around and see what they liked.  Some might have thought we were wasting our time, however many of these people sent us business because they were impressed with our service.  

 

A

Feb 23, 2020 11:46 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,431
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

No. I would add them to automatic home search information by email. I would be happy to meet with them at my office if they have questions.

Feb 23, 2020 09:51 AM
Ambassador
2,436,470
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I had buyers who stated they weren't ready to buy but wanted to look at a few homes. It's amazing what can happen when they see "the one." All of a sudden, finances were in order, offer made. 

I'd show a few houses. Not a ton, but a few. Let's get the relationship made.

Feb 24, 2020 05:21 AM
Rainmaker
556,536
Greg Cremia
Shore Realty of the Outer Banks - Nags Head, NC

In a second home market most of the buyers are are at least 1 year out. We show them houses because someone else will if we don't. Todays buyer has been looking for 2 years, in that time their price range went up $200k.

Feb 24, 2020 03:56 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,670
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I showum if they say they want to see um. I don't believe in the saying "buyers are liars" but they do change their minds just like everyone else.

Feb 23, 2020 07:30 PM
Rainer
378,517
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

Depends of if they are local or not.  With out of town buyers it's more likely to show them a few/ neighborhoods so they will get a feel for the area.

Feb 23, 2020 02:29 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Their circumstance will dictate if it's time to preview the market. Selling the long term family home to downsize is generally a shock when Mom & Dad get out and start looking. They'll get the hang of pricing soon enough but this gets them through the doors without that deer in the headlights face.

Feb 24, 2020 01:50 PM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

I do, many don't, if you love real estate, you love people and sharing time with future clents shows it.

Feb 24, 2020 08:07 PM