We sure did, with our home in Los Angeles.  We had an offer on a real architectural  beauty with unbelievable views on a mountain.  Then we saw an ad in the Saturday paper, for a home that was for less money in a fabulous neighborhood, more land, etc.  It was a ranch that needed updating.  We loved it, and bought it.  Since, we were representing ourselves, we were not really surprised at our about face.  We signed all the papers that day, and had it in escrow a few days later.  A

People evolve through the process.

I had a multi-level townhouse listing that was purchased by a middle aged couple.  The real surprise was that the wife's 87 year old Mom was going to be living with them.  People half the Mom's age rejected the property due to the stairs.

Their agent said they'd been looking for a single story.  When they walked into my open house, the agent said "O M G!!  This place is five stories tall!!"

The first house I ever sold, the buyers said they absolutely did not want a pool.  No way, no how.  They had three little kids and a pool was out of the question.

They bought the property with the pool.  We met there so I could hand over the keys.  Their youngest child raced past all of us and went face down into the pool.

Mom jumped in to save him.  I headed to the closest store to get dry clothes for Mom and son.  Mom apologized for not having worn her pretty underwear that day.

The famous saying is "Buyers are Liars!"  meaning they end up usually offering on a home that doesn't match their criteria.

I have sold 2 homes that were everything they said they did not want.

Yes,  She wanted a one story, 3 bedroom with a small lot.  Bought a 5/3.5/3 on a huge lot with a pool.

INDEED!!  Shocking????  Not!!  LOL!

Had a buyer that sold, wanted out of the area, then bought in the area.  Then resold and wanted his old home back.

Yes, and totally in a different area and at 50% higher price.

Yes, quite often.  

And the worst is when they buy the completely different home from a competing agent.

That has happened to me quite a bit. 

Sheila and Larry -- house hunting evolves and I love to see it in progress although at times the seach may seem a little manic.  As long as the buyers continue to communicate and are loyal --it's all good.  After all, it's their decision and their money.  

All the time; it seems that they think they know what they want but they don't until they see it up close and personal..

I am mostly a buyer agent, and this happens all the time.  I tell buyers if I had to sum up the entire buying process in one word:  COMPROMISE.  It is universal, all buyers have to make some sort of compromise(s), in every price range.   For first time home buyers, it usually starts with price, they have no idea what is really available in their price range, if they are able to up it, after we view enough houses they dont like, they increase it.  But yes, it has been my experience many do find a house completely different than the "dream home" they had in their minds.   That being said, I have noticed in the last couple of years, buyers who contact me that have already done a lot of research and tell me, we want to view these 3 homes, and buy one of them.  In the next month I will close on two where buyers did just that, took each set out one day, made offer, and are closing.   Great question!

80% of the time.

It starts with "Looking for a 3/3/2 pool home for $170,000 or less."
One day of that and they are looking for a 3/2/2 maintenance free townhome, in an all ages community for $350,000.

I understand they are testing me to see to which master I am obligated, the check or the buyer? So we visit a lot of pigs before they show their cards.