The buyers returned for a second property viewing trip and looked at about six more homes, but couldn't find what they wanted. They're very picky buyers in the $500k range, and stated that they definitely were going to buy, but it might take "a year or two to find what we want."
At this same time, the broker was rolling out a new consulting business model as an ACRE™, Accredited Consultant in Real Estate. He felt obligated to let them know, even though he'd spent about eight hours with them in person over the two visits. To his shock, they said they really didn't want to go the pay-as-you-go consulting way ($100/hour for all showings and work to closing) with a rebate of all commission at the end. But they did say that they felt obligated to compensate the broker for his time and gas. However they still wanted the broker to get the entire commission at closing!
This was indeed a nice offer and quite gratifying, as the broker's time and expertise were worthy of respect and compensation. However, it isn't logical for this client to pay up front for services, take on risk of never finding a property, and there be no possible reward at the end if it worked to a closing. That's not to mention the broker being in theory compensated twice for the same work. So the broker suggested a "double back" rebate at closing of twice whatever they had paid him for showings and property preview visits.
All this to illustrate that not all our prospects are of the opinion that they deserve the maximum in effort and services from us whether a deal is consumated or not. Those agents and brokers desirous of a steadier income and compensation for their expertise and services might want to look at offering the consumer some options.
