You've met the type already, because the Better Deal Buyer is suddenly everywhere.

The Better Deal Buyer is just as the moniker implies - someone who is always looking for a better agent, a better loan, a better house. When it seems more important to your buyer to win than to buy a home, you know you are working with a Better Deal Buyer.

And that spells trouble for you, because Better Deal Buyers are usually rich with entitlement and self-importance - they think they're smarter and more deserving than others. They won't settle for less, no matter what it costs.

Better Deal Buyers are so focused on getting a better deal that they will risk great homebuying opportunities because they are so delusional with self-centeredness.

What they want is capitulation from everyone else so they can satisfy their need to win. If the lender doesn't waive enough fees, or if the seller doesn't drop prices down to the pain threshold, and you don't kick in some of your commission, the Better Deal Buyer simply won't be happy enough to do the deal.

And that's what makes working with The Better Deal Buyer so maddening. They have no idea how not-worth-it their deals usually are.

The Better Deal Buyer isn't typically the luxury home buyer who is spending millions. If buyers have that kind of money, they've already won the game, and have nothing to prove. No, the Better Deal Buyer is usually a young comer who wants everyone else to feel the pain over a starter home or entry-level move-up home. (adjust prices accordingly for your market area.)

Naturally it would be good to be able to spot this kind of buyer before s/he puts you through hell, but unfortunately the Better Deal Buyer can't be stereotyped. However, you can definitely be on your guard if:

Published: January 23, 2004

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