It happens Terry,
I had a client's that changed their mind because of the downward spiral the economy is taking and were unsure how it will affect their employment and client had his hours cut. It shows that you appreciate his services and care. If you know someone that is thinking of buying or selling a home, it will be a great compensation if you referred them to your Realtor. And, when you are ready to purchase, give him a call.


Jes Sierra, B.Sc., Realtor® http://www.hellomynameisjes.com

OMG...is this Ashton Kutcher....really.

Terry, you are just a classy individual. It is very kind and frankly, amazing that you want to do this.

I would ask your REALTOR. If it were me, I would say, you know, let's do dinner and call it even, but I would make sure that dinner was jsut about dinner, creating a good friendship, and ensuring that business was not even a topic. Friends are better than clients and you are of the caliber that I would want to create a lasting friendship with.

Have a good day.

Gary De Pury
Broker-Owner
Bay Vista Realty
Tampa, Florida

It's very kind of you to think about the compensating the realtor who has worked with you for 3 months. The best way you can compensate him for his work is to refer him/her to your friends who are in the market to purchase a new home.

Terry,

I agree with all the agents below. It is wonderful to have such a thoughful buyer. As well as referring other buyers to your agent, in the future if you decide to enter the market again keep her in mind. If you decide to buy in an area outside her parameters, she would be able to refer you to another trusted agent. Good luck.

Best,

Nancy Copeland

That's very nice that you are asking that question. Actually, buyer agents only get paid at close of escrow if you purchase a property. Really the best thing you can do for them is refer them to other buyers and sellers. Referral is the lifeblood of this business and we can't survive without it. Terry...you are a rare and appreciated client to be so thoughtful!

Hi Terry,

I think it's wonderful that people like you still exist. It's honorable that you are worried about the time your Realtor spent on finding you a property and that you want to do something for her. In this case, not only your realtor, but also YOU should be shown appreciation for being such a wonderful human being. I wish I had more clients like you...your realtor is very lucky!

Hi Terry,
As you can see from the responses below, all realtors appreciate the fact that you are so happy with your realtor. Appreciation goes a long way and if you let your agent know that your circumstances have changed, I am sure the realtor will understand.

You can send them a referral of your friend, colleague or family member. My client just bought a house through me. It went pending today and he already gave me a referral of his friend. You cannot imagine how good an agent feels when their client trusts them totally with a big investment and decision in buying a home to send them referrals.

Do not forget this agent that did so much for you and when the time comes, please use only that agent.

Thank you for asking that question.

Meena Gujral
Help-U-Sell Achievers Realty
510-279-9580

Honesty is the best answer, this is not uncommon and it is okay your realtor will understand and hopefully when you do decide the time is right for you to purchase a home you will call on that realtor again!

A referral is the highest complement you can give your realtor. We all understand when a client decides that the time isn't right for them. Knowing how you feel about the service you got, I'm sure you will call them in the future.

Terry,

Real estate professioanl understand the nature of the business and can deal with disappointment. Our recommendation is to be up front and let them know of your decision as well as your appreciation for their efforts.

There is no better complement for a realtor than a satisfied customer that refers business in their direction.

Good luck

The best gift a client can give me is to tell their friends and relatives about my fine service. A referral to someone who is looking for my services both provides me with the opportunity for a new client and lets me know that you really respect and appreciate the service I can give.

Great advice from Pacita and Cameron.

Use that Realtor when you do decide to buy.

Recommend that Realtor to friends and neighbors.

Write a nice note that the Realtor can show to other prospective clients.

Hope that helps.

Terry

So happy to hear that you appreciate your realtor so much that you are even asking this question. If i were your Realtor, I'd be dancing a jig for joy that you appreciate the services a realtor provides.

At this time, and until you are ready to buy (and I'm sure you will use that realtor again), the best way to compensate your realtor is to refer him to your friends and associates who are planning to either buy or sell real estate. Realtors live by another adage: Referrals! Referrals! Referrals!

Also, if you are planning to buy later, and it's in another city/state, ask your realtor to find a similarly good realtor where you're going because he can receive a referral fee that way, too.

Stay in touch with your realtor....run some ideas by him (or is it her). There are so many incentives for buyers today, that there may be something that will apply in your case and that it may be too good to pass up.

Finally....write him/her a personal note. Tell your realtor how much you appreciate him/her. That note will be treasured for a very long time.

Realtors are humans, too....we have feelings. And we appreciate all the positive feedback. By what you posted, there are a lot of us who must be smiling now :)

Good luck!

If you have been happy and satisfied with your agent, I can think of two things you can do to compensate him/her outside of a monetary payment:

1. Use that agent if/when you decide to buy; and
2. Recommend that agent to anyone you know who is looking to buy or sell in the area.

As an agent whose business thrives primarily on referrals from past clients, I can tell you that there are few things sweeter than a referral of new business from a past client. Some of my best clients have been referred to me from people who have not closed a transaction with me, but who felt good enough about their experiences with me to recommend my services to others.

Hope that helps!

There is no compensation required unless your original agreement states there is. Sure, the Realtor spent time with you and gas money etc, but as realtors, we know this is the nature of the business. The best thing you can do is apologize, send them any referral you can, and remember them when the time is right for you to buy in the future. It should all be ok.

You don't need to do that, and most states you can not compensate them unless that have a closing.