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I'm not a realtor. I'm not sure how realtor's get paid (except by commission) or on what this pay is based exactly (selling price of the house they sold?).
But, I've worked with a client base before. Those clients that are fussy and with whom you see no end in sight are the last ones you get to during the day - you check on them as little as possible, not wanting to insight another barrage of endless, needy questions. At least, that's how I felt about them.
I'm picky. My husband is picky. We're not in a rush and we're looking for something specific. I've got a ton of stupid questions and am curious about things other people might forgo.
My question is this: How do you, as a realtor, handle less-than-ideal clients like this? You can be honest, it's okay. Do you charge an extra 'pain the butt' fee? Is the commission based on time spent on the client?
Or did I get it all wrong? Believe me, it's not my intention to be a pain in anyone's butt. I just know I won't be an easy to find a house for.
A realtor's commission is based on the price of the house sold. That much I know, but I'm not a realtor.
I do however have some knowledge of picky customers. Try to be aware of the things a realtor can and cannot know or control. Try to look at the big picture and know what is trivial.
It sounds to me like you have that little bit of self-awareness that the PITA clients don't - you know that you are asking for more than usual attention with a potential long time until the agent gets paid, and don't simply consider that it's your due and that your agent, of course, has no other clients and is available 24/7. That, in and of itself, makes you the opposite of less-than-ideal.
If you're as up front with whatever agent you eventually end up working with as you are here, there really shouldn't be a problem.
It sounds to me like you have that little bit of self-awareness that the PITA clients don't - you know that you are asking for more than usual attention with a potential long time until the agent gets paid, and don't simply consider that it's your due and that your agent, of course, has no other clients and is available 24/7. That, in and of itself, makes you the opposite of less-than-ideal.
If you're as up front with whatever agent you eventually end up working with as you are here, there really shouldn't be a problem.
Thanks, Horse Lady.
It's not that I expect the realtor to work miracles and I like to think I'm pretty reasonable about what I'm looking for and what can and can't be negotiated. I think it might just be a looong haul.
Well, heck, it took us two years to find our horse property (not looking every day, of course!), and we were still friends with our agent when it was over. (This was before I was an agent.) Still are, for that matter.
Of course, I sent him all the referrals I could between then and the time I became an agent myself.
We are paid only when the sale closes and based on the sales price. So, no, we could not "charge" extra for someone who is a pain in the butt
I don't think that there are any "easy" Buyers. Everyone is picky. Why not, it's a big purchase. Maybe the biggest purchase in many people's lives.
I once worked on and off with a client for over 2 years. When I found her the property, she moved very quickly, so there is no formula.
We depend on referrals so I hope that when I do a good job, I hope that I will be "rewarded" with a referral, which, of course, is the greatest compliment of all.
I also think that "difficult" Buyers know when they start to overstep their time demands. There is only one of me and only so many hours in a day that I show properties. I have a first come first serve policy. If you want a block of my time, you get the first opportunity. I typically divide my day into 2 parts, am and pm. It then gives me the opportunity to assist clients in the am, take a lunch break and then get the afternoon clients out to see what they need to see too.
I don't think asking a lot of questions makes you a unworthy buyer. The most important element I look for in a buyer is honesty. Honesty is not agreement - you may disagree with me, that's ok. If I get a feeling that a buyer is not honest or direct I drop 'em. If they are wanting me to be a buyer's agent but shopping with other agents - it's a drop, then and there!! For buyer who is truly looking, is qualified buyer, and will work with me - not against me - I'm there!!
I too am pretty picky. I need either woods or water and a house that won't need any major renovating (and an extra 20k would have come in handy!) Every 6 weeks or so my realtor and I get together and check out about a dozen potentials. We've been doing this for a year and a half already . I've made several offers and obviously none have panned out, and of course this was no fault of my own . My realtor drives about an hour just to get to the area I want. I apologize all the time for dragging her out and she always smiles and says I'm being silly. Now mind you, I've been looking for over a year and found several that would have worked but didn't for many, many different reasons. Once I found a house that was obviously NOT what I was looking for but by this point would have bought a dog house if it had a walk in closet. She stopped me dead in my tracks when she saw I was obviously considering the dump and set me straight. I was NOT buying that house. She constantly reminds me that when the right one comes up, she'll drop everything and be right there (and she really means it!) She's the best! I am not specifically looking for that drop dead deal, but if find one and scoop it up, she's getting the extra commission from me that's for sure.
If anyone need a realtor in the South East Michigan area, (Lake Orion, Lapeer or pretty much anywhere,) shes the one you want on your side. She'll drive anywhere and understands this can be tough on a buyer.
When you have a long list of properties that you and your agent have compliled, drive by them before setting up appointments to view them with your agent. Then you can eliminate those that are deal breakers (busy road, next to an asphalt plant, too big, too small). Just pictures, movies and text can be misleading. You'll find that the list of 30 gets narrowed down to 6 or 8, a managable morning, afternoon or early evening. That and hiring a buyer agent that you can communicate well with will put you on the road to success. Good luck and happy hunting!
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Thanks, Horse Lady. 
. I've made several offers and obviously none have panned out, and of course this was no fault of my own 
. My realtor drives about an hour just to get to the area I want. I apologize all the time for dragging her out and she always smiles and says I'm being silly. Now mind you, I've been looking for over a year and found several that would have worked but didn't for many, many different reasons. Once I found a house that was obviously NOT what I was looking for but by this point would have bought a dog house if it had a walk in closet. She stopped me dead in my tracks when she saw I was obviously considering the dump and set me straight. I was NOT buying that house. She constantly reminds me that when the right one comes up, she'll drop everything and be right there (and she really means it!) She's the best! I am not specifically looking for that drop dead deal, but if find one and scoop it up, she's getting the extra commission from me that's for sure. 
