The 20-sec delay is to prevent DDOS style attacks on the server - searching is resource intensive.

I can't set different delays based on guest vs member status only allow or disallow search, and search is important for us to provide to both guests and members.

I have reduced the delay period and resulting annoyance some, but probably not enough to eliminate annoyance completely.
The upside to this is it gives us all a chance to practice the virtue of patience