All the time.

Just as your graphic indicate I do ask if they understand the real cost of that convenience and it's potential to alter their plan when the lease expires.

Plug them into my systems, and wait.

Efforts to persuade a reluctant buyer often leads to resentment, and those long term consequences are costly to my future. 

Before we bought our vacation home we rented several places in the general area and even one in the complex to be sure we wanted to be there.

Not for vacation properties but a weekend might be a plan.

Constantly! Price and cost savings are not an issue here unless working with FTHBs so people rent and take their time. I have a couple clients who I placed in rentals a few years ago who are still renting. They  want new construction and have very specific criteria so are in no hurry.

That's good ^^ and nice appreciation! Ours is not that high.
Homebuyers are not my demographic. But if a relo full time resident or retiree wants to rent first, to make sure they want to live here . . . I think they should. Vacation home buyers, USUALLY what happens  is that they FINALLY tire of the cost of hotel dwelling (and our hotels all have one armed bandits so that cost can be high) or vacation rentals (really pricey) and realize that they can buy and rent out to others half the year, use the other half and come out way ahead.

David,

Good for you for thinking ahead.  Interestingly enough, professional athletes used to buy, and now are more likely to rent because they are often traded.  They just don't want the hassle of selling and buying in a new area.  Their advisors also advise to to that.  A 

Since Erie is not a second home market I don't have input from Realtor perspective.  Thanks for informative post & graphic David Barr 

Yes, but things depend of why they want or need to wait. for example, one buyer i'm working with did a loan modification. He has to wait 2 years before he can get another mortgage. That waiting period ends in about 30 days.

Here in SW Florida, many people are relocating to retire. My brokerage specializes in this market because our sister company is trenched in the Golf industry and is backed by the PGA. Many people, looking to retire down here, want to get the lay of the land before deciding to buy. Snowbirds or Seasonal clients are not concerned as much with the urgency to get a "good deal" as they are with knowing where they want to spend their "golden years". We educate our buyers on the market, and put them in touch with financial advisors that can help them understand the true cost of retirement in the area they wish to live. Once they have consulted with us, we can usually get them to pul the trigger sooner than later.

Most of our buyers have vacationed here for a long time so they already know it all and don't need to rent. 

Yes, we do have renters here first, and most start off as 1 or 2 week vacationers, proceed up to monthly renters, and then start seriously looking to purchase - and that's whether they want to be year-rounders or snowbirds - David Barr.  Very few 'want to buy now', even at reduced home prices!  They are still checking out the area, looking at available home models, want that mountain view and that remodeled home - there are many variables.  Alot seem to want fewer 'project homes' even at a reduced price, where they could do their own Renos. 

Sometimes, if they are new to the area and want to get to know their way around first

My parents plan to rent first in Florida...to determine ideal location.

They can afford to buy.  But, they can also afford to rent!

...and costs there are nothing compared to here.

Not very often,unless they are new to the area

Yes to make sure they really like the area.

not often.  And generally speaking if they want to rent they are not serious about buying later

Some buyers like to do that.

I use an Excel comparison sheet to show over a period of time the cost of renting versus owning. It is one of Pat Zaby's many spreadsheets.

Renting first is a very good way to become familiar with an area.

Our experience has been they were ready to buy at the point we were contacted - some have rented prior to that, some just relocating for retirement and buy immediately.  Great graphic BTW!!