Dear First-Time Homebuyer a/k/a the guy that hung up on me today:
You called me all happy about that ad you saw in the paper;
"There is NO WAY that house in that neighborhood is that price! We have t
o see it. TODAY!!"
"Fantastic! I would LOVE to show you that house, it's awesome! Let me ask you a few questions. Have you met with a Lender and do you have your pre-qualification letter?"
"No, not yet. We thought we'd find a place we like first. There's plenty of time to do the loan stuff. After all, it's a BUYER'S MARKET!"
"Actually, buyer's market or not, you need to do the "loan stuff" BEFORE we go and look at homes. We really need for you to be qualified first. That way we'll know how much house you can afford and I won't waste your time showing you homes that aren't in your budget."
"We have excellent credit and all of our bills are current. I think we'll be just fine. When can we see the house?"
"Well. We can see any home you'd like, AFTER you get qualified. Not only is that important to you, it is important to me. You see, I only get paid if I sell a home. If you aren't qualified for the homes we look at, then you won't be able to buy and I won't get paid. So it's also a business decision for me. I work with a number of fantastic lenders and I would be happy to give you their contact information or give your information to them. Which works for you?"
click. . .
Okay, well, that didn't go as well as I had hoped.
Or maybe it did. Maybe you aren't really ready to buy? Or you just don't know how it works? Hey, that's okay, we can still get there! There is just one thing that HAS to happen first. You must get pre-qualified. If you aren't ready or willing to do this, then it's best that you hung up. No point wasting either of our time.
But should you change your mind, please know this:
I really enjoy working with first-time homebuyers in Wrightsville Beach NC. You are excited in a way that real estate veterans just aren't. I remember why I love this business when I am working with you; it is fun to look at houses. It's really fun to see your eyes glaze over when you realize you know where the Christmas tree/Grandma's cherry hutch/Grandpa's old radio will go. YOU HAVE FOUND YOUR HOME!
But you are work. You think you need to see everything on the market in your price range (which we will only know for certain if you meet with a lender FIRST!). Even if it's not in the neighborhood you said you HAD to be in; has none of the upgrades you swore you couldn't live without; is about 1000 square feet larger/smaller than you insisted you needed.
And I will show you many of them. It's part of my job. If I've done my job correctly and if you trust me like you should, you will take my advice and skip seeing about 90% of what is on the market. There is plenty to see without them. And we will find you a home, I promise.
But I need for you to do your job. Yes, you have a job here my dear first-time homebuyer. You MUST get pre-qualified. This is a job requirement for you to complete before we ever set foot in a house. It is not optional, it is not something you can skate on. It is im
perative.
We must know how much you qualify for so that we can search for your first home intelligently. Buckshot should not be used when looking for your sanctuary. We need a laser here, and getting pre-qualified is our best ammunition.
With this letter we will be in a position of strength when we find your first home. We will be able to go out of the gate with a strong offer of purchase and we will have the documentation to prove that you are ready, willing and ABLE to buy your first home.
There are other jobs you will need to do; you need to be sure of your requirements, from your house and from me. And I need to do my job; help you on this journey with all the expertise and professionalism that I possess.
I will do my job. I promise.
Will you please do yours?
Comments(17)