10/12/2022
Just wanted to share:
PSA to real estate Buyers!
As a real estate agent, we get all types of clients - big budget, medium budget, small budget, first time home buyers and experienced buyers and investors, cash buyers and financing. We have worked with them all and we are experienced at what we do. Our job is to represent you to the full extent and get you the best deal possible. When we first speak with you and ask if you are pre-approved or a cash buyer, or even for a copy of your driver's license. Some agents may ask you to meet them at their office first before showing you any homes. Please do not take offense when an agent refuses to show you homes if you refuse their requests. If you are not pre-approved, refuse to get pre-approved or refuse to share proof of funds please expect most agents to refuse to work with you until you do! We ask for a multitude of reasons:
1. can you AFFORD the home you want to see. Just because you feel as though you can does not mean a lender will approve you for the amount you THINK you can afford.
2. Most sellers require that buyers are pre-approved or have POF before allowing people into their homes. Every time a seller allows a showing, it displaces the seller from their home for up to an hour per showing. This can be tough if you have kids and pets. They only want serious buyers walking through - wouldn't you?
3. Real Estate agents are only paid if they sell and close a deal. We may spend months showing homes, countless hours and miles driven, gas, etc... and as a buyer you may not find your "Dream Home". Agents can't afford to window shop with buyers who are not serious about buying.
4. When you do find a home you want, a seller is not going to accept your offer without a pre-approval letter from the bank or POF proving you can complete the sale. Sellers do not want to lose valuable days on the market with a buyer who cannot buy their home - would you?
And lastly, we ask for our SAFETY! 9 out of 10 times we do not know our clients personally in the beginning. Asking for a copy of your Driver's license, Pre-approval letter or POF from you bank affords us of knowing who we are really working with. Who are we meeting at a vacant home? Who are we meeting after dark at a house where the sellers are not there! Every year in the US agents are abducted, beaten, robbed, r***d and murdered - why because we don't know who we are meeting, and we put ourselves in a vulnerable position meeting strangers in order to make a living.
So please remember these things the next time you get offended when an agent refuses to show you homes without proof that you can actually buy one.
Stay safe and stay packing!
