I realized the other day that I can still remember every client I've helped the last several years... As I thought about my past clients, it dawned on me why I remember each one so well - I spent a lot of time working personally with each one! Bonds tend to form as you spend more time with people, and I tend to spend hours and hours with my clients looking at properties, writing offers, attending inspections, etc., etc. As I was thinking about this, it also dawned on me that most people may not understand the time involved for an exclusive buyer's agent with each client (or why I typically only work with 4-7 clients who are actively looking for a home at any given time).

... So here's an explanation...

Some of my clients live here in San Diego County. These are people who are looking for a home to purchase while, at the same time, juggling all the normal responsibilities of work, kids, etc. These clients typically only have time to look at properties in the evenings after work or on weekends. With only five weeknights in a week, an in-town client like this can eat up time pretty fast, although many only care to look at properties one or two days a week. During the day, I typically have time to show property to other clients (in the mornings or afternoons, for example), but I also need to allow time for drafting offers, scheduling and coordinating showing appointments, attending inspections, monitoring communication (between escrow, lender, buyer, seller, title, inspectors, etc.) for clients who are already in escrow, and more.

Some clients live out of town, and when they come to town to see property, I do my best to set aside my schedule for them to make sure we maximize the time they're in town. This could be as short as one full day, or it may take up a complete weekend or several days during the week.

Working exclusively with buyers allows me the flexibility to be able to accomodate each new client, no matter when they need me. It always seems to work out that when I'm finished helping one client, another calls me or gets referred to me from a past client. My schedule is much like a contract consultant. I work for one client for a period of time, and then move on to help the next client once my job has been completed for the first client.

This is one of the main reasons I chose to work as an exclusive buyer agent (and not work with sellers). I am freed up to be there for my clients whenever they need me (and offer a higher level of service that a home buyer truly deserves). I work out a customized schedule that works for both of us with each new client. I've found that this level of customer service is highly appreciated by my clients.

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Justin Gramm is the founder and principal broker of Globella Buyers Realty, your San Diego Exclusive Buyer Brokerage. He also writes this blog, "For San Diego Home Buyers."

Exclusive Buyer Agents do not list homes for sale and never represent sellers. They have no "inventory" to try to sell you. They can represent you in purchasing any home. They are specialists at representing buyers only on the buyers' side of the transaction. Exclusive Buyer Agents work to get buyers the best price and terms when they buy a home.

If you have excellent credit and plan to buy a home or condo in San Diego County within 90 days, contact Justin Gramm to hire an agent on your side of the transaction. Call Justin at (858) 437-2662 or  E-mail.