This is a gentle reminder (with the holidays upon us) to my clients and people who just read my blog. I cannot make appointments without Pre-Approval with a DIRECT IN TOWN lender (financed offers, no out of town brokers please) OR Proof of Funds (all cash offers.)
Right now (as I have said in the past,) buyer interest is extremely high, combine it with holidays and out of town buyers, there is no one on my team that will show (even during the "slower" seasons) without those pieces of information.
You need them to submit on short sales, you need them to submit on REOs. If you don't have it, then you are not prepared to write an offer (SORRY!)
The crickets are not chirping here for the next month and a half. We have several major holidays which brings buyers into our Las Vegas market and gets us bogged down:
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- New Year's
- MLK Weekend
- Superbowl Weekend
- Valentine's Day
There are many "lookers" during these times and we would rather spend time with our loved ones than tire kickers!
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year's and thank you for your understanding!
Good for you Renee, after all, it's not charity work!
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!
Agreed, Renee, and a resounding 'AMEN!' I never mind talking with interested buyers about their ambitions to purchase a home, but those who want us to drop everything to show need some gentle reminders every now and again.
Renee
It's only right if an agent is going to go to all the work that the buyer needs to know it is to their advantage as well to have a pre-approval letter.
Hey I totally love this concept, it saves a lot of time! Happy Holidays to you and all the family!
This scenario wants to present itself next week, and I just don't how to tell people diplomatically that I'm NOT a tour guide. And NO I am not out to pull listings, make appointments, plan the tour, show properties if the buyers aren't:ready, willing and able. But as I say, Renee, I just don't know how to tell them nicely or without sounding as if I would LOVE to give them the Red Carpet Treatment because they "might" become my clients?!?
Renee,
Very well said. Isn't it crazy. I had someone from out of state want to go out and when I asked about the "lender prequal" he said he didn't want to get one yet. Needless to say he must have found another agent to ride around with. Best wishes on this holiday season!
Renee- you mean your tour guide days are over. We get a lot of that here in Nashville, as you would expect.
Carla,
You are right, it is tough to tell the buyer that you will not take them out without a letter. I have a couple things I say, but I feel they are week and looking for a better one.
1. I tell them that some homes cannot be shown to anyone without a pre-approval letter. I put the blame on the home they want to see and make it sound like its not my decision.
2. I tell them it's a good idea to have it because if they see the home of their dreams, they will not be able to make an offer without it. Here in Massachusetts, offers generally do not get presented without one. If a buyer says, that's ok, I am just looking or getting started, I try and kindly tell them I don't show properties to someone unless they are ready to buy. If they just want to browse, check out some open houses.
Anyone else out there have a better line or way to tell buyers they need to be pre-approved?
Thanks,
David
I couldn't agree with you more!