The Old “I Have Buyers” Trick…

When I first got into real estate, I joined a brokerage that pushed all the traditional tactics: cold calling, door knocking, and saying whatever it took to get someone to list their home—including the infamous “I have a buyer” line.

Let’s be real. I’ve never liked strangers knocking on my door, and I’ve definitely never enjoyed picking up calls from unknown numbers. So those first two strategies felt uncomfortable, but I tried them anyway because I didn’t think I had a choice while continuing to stay at that particular brokerage.

But there was one thing I absolutely refused to do: lie.

They told us to say “I have a buyer” even if we didn’t—just to start a conversation or get a foot in the door. It felt manipulative. That kind of bluffing might be common in this industry, but I knew right away it wasn’t how I wanted to build my business.

Fast forward to recently, when I met a homeowner who had fallen for this exact tactic. A Realtor told her they had a serious buyer. She got her hopes up, made plans, and even mentally started saying goodbye to her home—only for the deal to collapse because, surprise, there was no actual buyer. It broke my heart to see the emotional toll that took on her. Real estate is already a big, emotional move. No one should have to deal with false promises on top of that.

Here’s what I do instead.

I build real relationships, not pressure-based pitches. For example, over the past few years, I’ve gotten to know someone who is a future buyer. They’re not ready this second—but their goal over the next 1–2 years is to find a fully renovated, slightly smaller unit than their current 1,800 sq ft home but in Villa Alicante in Marina Del Rey with close proximity to a pool. That insight didn’t come from a sales script. It came from conversations, trust, and time.

So yes, I do have a buyer in mind. Not a fake one to bait a listing—an actual person with a real plan. I can sleep at night knowing I am a real human who people can trust. If you're ever curious what your home might be worth in today’s market, I’m always happy to share honest feedback—no tricks involved.