Working with buyers can be an exhausting endeavor. You drive around, show them home after home and try to find the right place that melds budgets and dreams into one. Many of those clients may have children and those children a large part of the buying process whether you realize it or not. They influence your buyer clients in regards to size of a home, location and more.

But usually, those influences are merely that, influences. You could meet your clients multiple times and never meet their children who may be with caretakers, at school or at after-school programs. But you should prepare yourself for the inevitable. Parents who want the input of their school-age children. Parents who had their babysitter cancel at the last minute. Because that means your showings have no turned into a family affair.

Babies can actually be terrific to work with during the buying process. They don't walk around, grab at things or even have a negative thing to say about the properties you are showing your clients. But you do have to be aware of the possible need for keeping up with baby feeding times and baby naps. If your clients do decide to bring the baby there are some things to consider.

For example, you may want to travel in the client's vehicle. They already have the baby car seat installed and ready to go. You can sit in the front passenger seat and navigate while one parent sits in the back seat with baby. You may also want to ask your clients if they need to take a feeding break (especially if the mother is nursing the infant) or a diaper change break.

The toddler and preschooler age can be a tough one. Once children begin walking and talking they really do like to move around and experience things. And it can be very difficult for parents to rein those children in. Keep this in mind when setting up showings. First off, keep the number of showings to a minimum.

Visiting ten homes on a Saturday is most likely out of the question. Children in this age range have a limited time in which they can keep it altogether in terms of behavior. They get tired, hungry and fussy...and they will let you know it. So tackling more than five or six homes may be an ambitious feat.

You can try to help things out on the right foot by bringing some items that can help with the day. While your clients have likely packed some items up for their child, it never hurts to be prepared. Bring a couple of different healthy snacks along. Fruit, trail mix, granola bars are all good options.

And kids love people who have goodies to share. Just make sure you clear it with the parents first in case the child has any food allergies. You may also want to provide a couple books or soft toys for the child to look at and play with during the car rides from home to home. It helps keep the child occupied, giving you precious time to talk to you clients about what they thought about the last viewing.

Lastly, don't forget to engage the child from time to time. Ask her which house is her favorite. Ask her what color she will paint her room. Most parents appreciate an agent who will take some time to chat with their children and develop a rapport with them.

As the kids get older, they may or may not become easier to deal with when looking at homes. Typically, the older children are, the more showings you can plan for the day. However, with the older children, definitely play it by ear in terms of how much you engage them. They may not be excited at all about the upcoming move.

So any attempt to ask them about their opinions may be met with silence or worse, attitude. If you feel any attitude from them, be polite but don't invite disaster by engaging them too much in the conversations regarding the various homes you are viewing.

On the contrary, there will be some older kids who are excited and may be able to help you close a deal! If a child falls in love with a home and can picture herself in a house and you know it falls within all of the parameters your clients were requesting, then perhaps you should draw that child's enthusiasm out. Because enthusiasm and excitement about a home can be contagious and lead to your clients asking for you to start working on that offer!