another reason to focus on listings....

Yes, he's afraid to pull the trigger & make a decision. I would repeat his pattern back to him & ask him what he thinks? You've seen 5 houses now that you could have bought, do you realize that? No house is going to be 100% perfect.

It's a big step & many people freak.

I have not Debbie Reynolds 

He's obviously not ready and I would let him off the hook.  He might need time to re-identify his wants and needs and let you know when he is finally ready.

Let's assess the houses we have lost and be prepared to make the "best" choice for you. If you are lookng for "perfect" it does not exist. You must set reasonable priorities of your must haves. Then we will search for them and if we find them along with some would like to haves, it is time to pull the trigger.

Yes, some times an ultimatum is needed when all else fails

I would yes, time to let go.  Sounds like a "looker" to me

Time to move on to another prospect.

Debbie Reynolds - some buyers have this habit. After 2 homes snatched away. a heart-to-heart conversation is needed for the motivation.

Happened with couple of buyers recently - and I'd ask them if they want to compete in multiple offers? If they really want to see it, please visit the home at open house and call me if you liked it - etc etc.

I don't have or want "closing skills", it's not my style. I patiently wait for them to fall in love with "THE" house and then help them navigate the process. I have once worked with a buyer for 7 years.

I've done something similar to what Wayne Martin suggests and if they don't get in the groove I do what Susan Emo says!

I think a lot of buyers and sellers resist being "closed".  I know I do.

I have had a few but I work on issues right fromt he start.

I have definitely had buyers like that, which makes it so much more enjoyable when I get to work with buyers that are truly appreciative.

I always pray I only get one of those a season

Time to call the Bouncer.

Well, you can't MAKE them buy a house. I've got one client, friends of sorts, who have done this for a long time. They get pre-qualified and everything. They want to see a home NOW, but there is always something they need to check out/into before making an offer. The only time they are ready to put in that offer, is when it's just gone under contract because they waited too long.

They don't take that much of my time, so I get to preview a few homes. I know that the minute I refuse to work with them, they will go to someone else and put in an offer on the first house they see.

I had this in a buyer just about six months ago. I don't know if he had a problem with women or REALTORS®, or both. He was a pain in the you know what to deal with. He wouldn't even follow my instructions on anything, because he knew better. 

Hi Debbie, 

It might be. It's at least time for a frank conversation. If they are using normal life events to evade decision making, tell them so.  Explain that you want the best for them, but we're very unlikely to find that one house we saw on the first trip out that got away.  

It really depends on whether you believe the buyer is serious or just unwilling or unable to make a decision.  Your gut will be the best judge of that. 

Debbie sometimes it just the buyer...the will find any excuse if they are not  ready!

I have the same problems with my buyers.

Have one right now; I don't think it is me, rather a stall on making that final decision.

No, If I did ... I would not be working with that buyer. 

Someone like that requires a heart to heart about how they keep getting in their own way.  

With this limited information, it would be time for me to re-identify the clients goals, and bring to light the underlying concerns.  "work schedule" is a terrible excuse to get in the way of the biggest financial transaction of a lifetime, so there's likely something behind the curtain.  More often than not, it's just an uncertainty that needs some clarification.

Sure sounds like it.

Sounds like cold feet, time to help them reexamine the "why" in this project.

It's the buyer's issue, not yours. Time for a heart to heart. Maybe more time is needed to be truly serious and ready to make a decision

There is nothing wrong with your closing skills, the buyer has the problem.

Debbie Reynolds This person is not a ready, willing and able buyer. They are a fence sitter and may never pull the trigger. Weed this person out early or else you will be spending a lot of unproductive time with them.

I think it's time for you to close the chapter on that relationship.

Buyers like that are annoying and will waste huge amounts of your time.

Debbie,

I very much doubt that it has anything to do with your closing skills.  It has to do with the buyer's confidence in themselves to make a choice.  That is my feeling.  A

Yes. I first met the buyer that made me question myself in fall 2011.  We worked together very intensely for about 18 months.  Then it started to wax and wane.  He was just lost.  Divorcing, lost the home in the divorce and no real conviction to pick a house, though he had many ideas.  It wasn't me.  It was him.  He really needed a counselor, not an agent.

I practice honing my skills on people all the time. Iron sharpens Iron

Debbie

I am surpised you are working with this kind of D client.  Waste of your time. Tell him you had a slot for him and he blew it.

Those who claim they are serious are biggest bser. Action is more important than words.

THAT may be the hardest question in selling. we are selling. they are buying. if we arent doing what it takes to sell its our fault. if they arent doing what it takes to buy, its their fault. i never fault them for not buying. i fault myself for not figuring out very very early on that they are not buyers. at least not with me. great question

Time for the 'Pull Back.'

Ultimatums have a predetermined outcome. If that is the goal, then deliver an ultimatum and see if you can emasculate him.

In the 'pull back' the "has to move" deadline will assert greater influence if this motivator actually exists..

I have had some buyers who may me wonder about a lot of things.  It's time for a heart-to-heart discussion about his goals.  Good luck.