It was seven years.  The husband said "Can you believe we made you wait six years to list the house?"  I laughed and said "It was seven."

I'd met the wife at an open house and sent a thank you note.  The wife had saved the note for all those years.  So sweet. 

One past client after 10 years came to be to buy another home.  I so love my loyal clients.  Even more so when the appreciate what I bring to the table. 

My category generally has a shorter purchase cycle, but I've had 2 customers buy after 5 years and a couple after 4 years.

hmm well so far I would say more than 18 years but its not a constant bombardment thing and usually the very lengthy contacts are with people who have already been clients

I worked with a youg couple for two and one half years. I was just starting out when I began the journey with them. I stuck with them because I really liked them. They were very smart about wanting to stay on budget (under $100,000) and they had the sweetest 2 and a half year old. By the time we found them a winner the bou was almost 5 and they were expecting their second child. We must have looked a a hundred homes over that time and all over the place. But the home they settled on was the perfect one for them, with the land they wanted and the price. It was worth it. They are still there!

several years

9 months for a seller who says...I think I found a buyer and wont need you

the longest was probably about a year for a listing.... some folks start long before they list to see what needs to be done to their property to prepare it for marketing....

Before they purchased or sold for the first time? Last August 2016 I finally sold a home to someone I'd been working with off and on and keeping in touch with since 2009. She has now purchased 3 properties since then. I think that's the longest.  I still have others I keep in touch with from many years back that may be something in the future, so who knows as time goes on! :-) -Kasey

Jeff,

3 years

This month I put for sale a condo, tenant was there over 9 years! I talk to owner of the property time to time. He called me in July and said:

"Oh, you probably don't remember me"

"Roman, how have you been?" 

I had a Seller years ago that I stayed in touch with for 3 years, and they did list with me, only because I was the only one that did stay in touch.  Have a buyer right now first hit my web site in 2010.  His son bought this past December, and father is coming out next month.

four years

Good question Jeff, not sure aboput how long it been.

A couple years.

6 years - closed on one last year

4 years closed on 1 a year

8 years - closed on 1 every 2 years

Almost five years. It was showing them houses off and on for almost three years before they finally bought something.

I can't recall the actual number but it was more than several years from the initial conversation to listing and then closing.    A lot of real estate can involve "the waiting game".    

Probably around 6 years.  But, it can get to be longer as I'm still working on a number of others.

our job does require patience  I know some agents who will drop a buyer if they haven't bought in a year. I don't drop anyone but am happy to take those rejected buyers on and sell them a home or land over time... I will take the time to make it work for them....whatever that is

3 years.

Jeff Dowler - I remember one of the buyers took more than 5 years!

The longest I can remember were sellers/buyers that I showed for over 25 years. They FSBO's for years and bought from a FSBO. The good ones are all in a days work.

7 years and he just closed last month. It was a welcome commission after simple emails and occasional calls, ROI= $12,000.00

I dont do any of that drip stuff, but I am constantly networking, when people are ready they will let me know.

3.5 years until the FSBO got serious about selling. I was shocked

I'm trying to run through my clients in my head.  Off the top of my head, maybe six years or so.

Jeff I've been in contact with most of our buyers and sellers for well over 25 years. I just had breakfast with a couple that bought their first home from me in 1989 and their dream home in 1993. They're thinking of downsizing at some point and I'll be helping them again.

We have had some prospects who we have cultivated for several years. No score sheet on that term however.

4-5 years for a first home bought with me. I have several clients who buy and sell every 3-4 years that I've had for 12+ years - in fact, I Closed with one of those today!

Don't even know as I've never thought about it as a cycle. 

I don't have an exact number of years although more than 5 and less than 10 sounds about right.

Great question but can't say i remember. Two years maybe?

Several years.

Years still no buying or listing.  They may be nice guys but you need to serve their needs and often your name does not stick or they will go with listing agent. Having said that I got a referral from 3 years ago.  

Believe it or not, I'm in contract on a home for just under $400K new construction and I've been in touch with these people for 9 years.

Years.