I built and sold new homes in resort communities. I have heard tales from several realtors regarding serious problems with some groups of folks, typically eastern European, that like to play similar games. They waste time with a realtor, while shopping with no real intention to buy, then often go as far as signing an agreement of sale. The process typically involves repeated trips out of the city to show relatives and friends the big impressive house they are buying. The charade typically ends when the home inspection report shows the slightest of flaws, and the big macho buyer throws a showy fit about how somebody is trying to fuck him.
I actually watched this go down, in the bottom of the recession, with a property that was being sold as a distressed sale. It had a killer rental history, was less than five years old, was fully furnished, and ended up being dumped for a 40% discount. A Russian family jerked the sellers around for months, then killed the deal when the inspection showed a failed bathroom exhaust fan, a $14 part, and a five minute fix. Personally, I had a big, first generation Italian family pull the same shit on me. All the men stood on the deck of a new home I was selling. The patriarch then engaged in a big show of negotiating, while at least two generations of sons and other close male relatives looked on in admiration. The women were sent off the deck before the show started. After reaching an agreement, every body left, and "Papa" strutted away like he was all that and more. For the next couple of weeks of playing phone tag, "Papa" told me more lies and bullshit than I could keep track of. It was all a show, the guy was a total bullshitter who couldn't afford a dog house, much less a second home. I'm sure he also ended up telling his family that I tried to screw him.