Silvia Dukes PA, REALTOR, CRS, CIPS, SRES I don't remember this ever happening.  Tony

 I don't show many houses any more but it happens occasionally when the buyer doesn't really realize what their criteria are but it is obvious that they actually are asking for something different than what they think they want! That can be fun to watch. 

We don't work with a lot of buyers, but they buy homes we didn't think fit their criteria about half of the time!

countless times. I love it when I know what the buyers want more than they do! LOL

Many times

I learned when I entered this business in 1989 that my bias could be an issue in what I recommend. I changed my attitude to it's up to the buyers to decide what is home and my job to make sure that the value was there and was financially a good decision.

I think that has happened to me at least once Silvia.

I would guess 35%. Reality is probably much higher. If the question was 'How often did a buyer purchase a house that met few of the initial criteria?" that would creep up to more than 50%.

Not that often but it does occur. More often than not the buyer may pass on something that I may feel is a better investment and fit for them versus the one they end up with. But that's a matter of opinion.

It happens some maybe 10-20% of the time. It pays to through in a rogue house from time to time.

I remember doing that several times and my line would be "just see it to eliminate it".... we need to "eliminate" from the list.... and they'd buy it!!!

Not often. I need their permission.  After a few showings if they don't like all. Time to regroup.  In our area all homes have multiple offers way over the asking price.  They know that. If they do not I reinforce it.

I used to have my buyers do the old Ben Frnaklin thing, drawing a vertical line down the middle of a sheet and on one side writing what they want/must have and the other side what they didn't want.

It was amazing to see the results.  I strongly believe that people make an emotional connection to a house within the first 30 seconds or so and if they do, that's it, regardless of pre-conceptions.

We have all had our share; I learned in the auto industry they be looking for XYZ and drive out with ABC.

Quite a few times, actually. Often I had to drag my clients there kicking and screaming because something told me it was the right home for them. And then they ended up buying it.

Never know for sure until you look at it.

It happens, often the agent knows things about the buyers beyond their preference sheet.

Silvia Dukes PA, REALTOR, CRS, CIPS, SRES Actually, I show the homes that sometimes buyer feel is not 'fit' for them - and they love it!

It has happened more often that I can count. Buyers will tell you repeatedly what there ideal home is, only to do a 180 on us.