Recently I was referred a home buyer who has unhappy with her previous agent. The client felt overwhelmed by all she thought she was going to have to figure out on her own. 

Property Search

Her previous agent had asked her a few questions and set her up on a general search which resulted in the client receiving hundreds of listings many of them she knew she was not interested in because they search went $100,000 over her $250,000 price range. She looked at a few but then realized she did not know what it was she was looking for. They had never gone through the home buying process from start to finish. 

Financing

Agent A referred her to a lender who also gave her the price range again without asking many questions. There was no financial guidance. With the buyers price range, down payment and and income she had many options. She could go FHA but she has the ability to put a good amount of money down. What would work best for her? 

Professionalism

After my first conversation with the buyer, I turned her into a client. We went through what her short and long terms plans are. What is her wish list? Specifics about location. I referred her to a mortgage banker who took some time to find out about her as well and walk her options that would be best for her financially.  She now knew what she could spend and be comfortable with her payments at the end of the month. 

Now the search. After educating and qualifying the client, I scheduled a few showings on a variety of properties. Based on her feedback of seeing what was available in her price range, I then went and weeded through active listings and sent her the ones that met her specifications including space, price and location. She had now become very excited about being a homeowner in the upcoming year. 

She probably won't be ready to buy for a few months, but I am doing what a real estate agent does. I keep ongoing communications with her via texting, email and phone calls. As she will be looking on and off for a while, I have set her up on Listingbook so she can keep up on the inventory when she chooses to. Technology is only the tool. Automation does not replace what is we do as Realtors® in servicing our clients.