Sellers expect showings to be of people actually QUALIFIED to buy and generally will not show property without being prequalified. Getting their wants and needs list and setting them up with a drip campaign of available property so they can see prices to scale their priorities up or down is how I would get them started.

Anyone that works Relocation as much as I do knows how to gauge the difference between getting the new-to-San Diego-client familiar with neighborhoods vs. the local shoppers without wallets.

If they are trying to get familiar with the market and it's only once in a while I say yes, after they have signed my BRE though and it's working around my schedule not theirs under these circumstances. If they are a nuisance, I share with them I need their pre-approval or the seller won't give me an appointment.

Then they're not a Client, but a customer!

Based upon the information you provided, that would be a hard no for me for many reasons some of which others have already mentioned in their comment.  

Hello Hella Mitschke Rothwell it is better to prequalify the buyer and hot wasting your time.

I have spent time with them Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor® and on occasion they do surprise you and find financing through a relative or another "unconventional source. Other times (rarely) they do purchase a year down the line. Most often it's a total waste of time but I always worked with them as long as they understood that I will answer other calls first if they come up.

Starting a drip campaign is best if they are a year off. Makes no sense to show properties when unable to buy right now.

It all depends on the client.  I may show them one or two to wet their appetite.  If it's a situation where they can afford to but they just don't want to, then I'm more inclined to because people have a way of moving heaven and earth when they find "the one".

If it's something where they have a foreclosure that won't come off for a year and there is absolutely nothing they could do if the perfect, once in a lifetime, home came on the market today... then I'd tell them no and expect to never see them again.

Where did you get this "client"? Do you have a relationship of value? Can't you set them up on listing alerts that will keep them abreast of the market? Why do the think that looking at houses that they are not ready to buy serves a good purpose?

I would tell the client that they should go to whatever open house appeals to them but showing them houses now does not make sense.

For me it would depend on why they can't buy for a year, as well as why they want to see homes now.  If I come to the conclusion it's a waste of time, my response is simply "no".  If it seems there's good reason for the course of action, Id probably take them out.

I have taken prospective buyers out to look (but I also explain that without the POF or PreApproval Letter we could not write an offer.  But rather than lose the relationship to another agent who will take them out I would probably show the property.  But I also take these moments to educate them on Buyer Agency, the importance of pre-approval, and set them up on a campaign and provide them with my phone APP as well as set them up in the MLS to receive updates of new listings so when they are ready I will be their agent of choice.

What kind of a client are they? Do you have a relationship with them already or are trying to develop one? I've had clients that I have shown homes too, that weren't ready to buy and have fallen in love with a home bought it then rented it out until they were ready to move. Those that have bought before be ready to move have been so happy they did as their home has only increased in value plus they made money on renting it out. Win, win! Good luck.

Advise them to look at the listings online until they are ready.

It depends on your relationship and the client.

I'm willing to show them a handful of properties, to get their feet wet, and learn the clients likes, dislikes and needs.  And then I'd set them up on a computerized search... and perhaps an occasional showing a couple/two-three times a year, just to keep their feet wet.

You never know... they might see a property, fall in love and decide to purchase sooner.

A person at this stage and speaking this way is a potential sale. i would vet them & then invest in them time wise. Along the way, I would educate them

I would need more information such as the reason(s) they are not ready to buy now and why they think they will be ready in a year. Is there a credit issue they are working through, are they short on DP funds and saving, do they expect a windfall to help with the purchase, etc., etc. 

Send them info as to what's available now, they can view online and drive around on their own to get familiar with different areas.

It depends on what else is going on.  If I have the time , fine.

I've gone with people that are looking but not ready to purchase. It's a good way, IMHO, to help them get market ready 

Did a loan officer verify they can buy in a year? A lot can happen in a year. Are they committed to you as their agent when it comes time to buy? Might show them a couple to see how they act, but it's most likely a waste of everyone's time. I also look at the seller's viewpoint. Why are you bringing people into my home that you know have zero ability to purchase it? It makes little to no sense, and it's an unnecessary risk.

Depends on the situation.   I may show a couple to show them what is available in their price range now, but no point on showing several.

It depends on who they are and if they were referred.  I may take them to a few properties, but like Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor® it would be easy-to-show homes, vacant on lockbox.  I wouldn't be calling out any agents at this point. 

You never know.  I did that once, showed two condos on the ocean and they bought one.  The husband wasn't planning to buy for years.

I will show them homes, in particular, if I know them well.  I want them to know the market when the time comes to purchase and what better way than to have them very familiar with the market than show them shoulder to shoulder.

I would refuse as they have no intention of buying said property. When they are totally able, then I would start showing them. In the meantime, have fun looking at open houses where all the time wasters are.

"Let's wait until we get closer to the time you will be ready to purchase a house.  In the meantime I will keep you updated on new listings in the areas you are most interested if find that perfect new house"

John Meussner has you covered. Choose wisely.

I have paragon send them listings and let them know that we will not be wasting their time, my time or the sellers time by touring any properties until they are ready to buy.

I show them a few houses every 3 or 4 months.
I do not see this as MORE EXPENSIVE than an agents' average cost per transaction.

The first thing to take into consideration is are they ready. willing and able to purchase now. If not that's the next hurdle to overcome. Until then no showings will be undertaken by this agent.

All real estate is local- and my market likely operates dramatically different from yours. The specific apartments I show clients are often an introduction to the building - and the early stage of the search process is helping clients identify which buildings might be one to include or exclude as we move forward.  If the buyer doesn't like the lobby, amenities, building condition, etc- then they might want to exclude the building going forward. Depending on building size, it's possible it could be 6 months, a year, two years or longer before an apartment the buyer might like could come up in the building. That said- yes, I want to take a buyer out on showings even if they are not actually ready to purchase for another year.

a one time see three or four to determine what they like that will help me next year is fine.  At their whim... no.

In most cases I’d attempt not to show a consumer who isn’t ready to buy . 

You could set them up for new listings and show them the photo tour section 

and keep them advised to any interesting Open

It depends. I typically would not show until they're ready to write a contract. I have had a few people come from out of town that I've shown a house or two knowing they weren't quite ready to write an offer but were pre-approved. There has to be sound reasoning to view a home when you're not ready to write an offer.

No problem, send them your video open house on demand tours... let she/he/them see and hear all about the listings they want to tramp through. Their timing is off but eventually they will buy and all you had to do was send them the url links ... help yourself buyers. 10PM at night on a Sunday, a holiday, have at it. You can leave your shoes on...tour, retour and maybe they won't wait a year. Remember the expr ession "buyers are liars" and remind them interest rates are heading north and now's the time to strike while the property you want, that fits like a glass slipper is available... but won't be for very long Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor® .