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We're in the "people" business - that hasn't changed.

Yesterday while doing some reminiscing I thought about my first clients.
They were a young couple and also new parents. Mr. Buyer #1 was a surgical
resident relocated to this state, his wife a stay at home mom.

Their credit scores were good, although their income was certainly not up to the potential income they would see a few years down the road. They met with a mortgage lender and it was decided that an FHA loan was the best way for this young couple to proceed.

We also sat down and discussed how property taxes were calculated in Michigan, their anticipated budget, unexpected expenses with a baby in the family, and what they were comfortable with for a fixed mortgage payment each month.

After all of the financial issues had been covered and known to all, we then put together their “must have” list and their “wish list”. Their new home was found rather quickly and closing on the home went off without a hitch. They were in the home and unpacked before his residency at the local hospital started and I was thrilled for them.

Throughout the years there have been many young couples like this first one that I have met and been given the honor of representing through their first home purchases.   Faces have changed, mortgage programs certainly varied throughout the years. I have enjoyed all of the new challenges and most especially the new buyers and their families. There is a human side to our industry that tugs at your heart and builds life long relationships.

Fast forward 10+ years: Todays Mr. Buyer #200 is another young professional man, with income that will increase in a few years, has a budget that he is comfortable with and a “must have” list and a “wish” list.    He has talked at length with a mortgage lender, has chosen an FHA mortgage loan, and we will be viewing homes together based upon his budget and housing needs.

I will be with him through every step of the process as his advocate, and hopefully he will be unpacking and setting up his new home very shortly.

Technology has changed. Mortgage programs have changed. Property values have changed. The core of our industry hasn't changed. People have needs and wants and all we have to do is understand this and meet those needs and wants.

It’s the same as it was 10 years ago. We’re in the people business. That will never change.

© Kris Wales RE/MAX Advantage 1, Inc. Macomb County real estate    Search for Homes

Posted by Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate on 12/13/2007 06:07 AM

Comments (16)

first time home buyer, macomb county real estate, kris wales

This post has been included in Michigan Information Macomb County, MI Information

16 Comments on We're in the "people" business - that hasn't changed.

Kris, How wonderful that you get to work with them again as they move up the ladder and that they wanted you to represent them again, that speaks volumes. I think in working with homes many of us forget at times that it is truly a people 'business' first. Congratulations to you, I'm sure they will love the new home you find them!

12/13/2007 06:13 AM

by Carole Provenzale Owner, Feng Shui Long Island & New York (Feng Shui Long Island & New York City)

They came back because you showed character and professionalism. You put them first. Kris, you rock!

Mike in Tucson

12/13/2007 06:20 AM

by Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC)

That is true. We are in the people business. Character and professionalism always win. Great post!

12/13/2007 06:23 AM

by Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)

Carole: I think my post was a bit confusing (I edited it, sorry about that) Todays "Mr. Buyer" is a different buyer. The point I was trying to make is that the buyers of today are no different than the buyers of yesterday, nor is our business core. The people business hasn't changed. Thanks Carole.

Mike: I confused you also, sorry! Please read the above comment. Thank you Mike.

Michael: The crux of our business hasn't changed - it's all about the people. I agree Michael, and thank you for coming by and reading.

12/13/2007 06:26 AM

by Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate (RE/MAX Advantage 1, Inc.)

Isn't that wonderful. I love past clients, The ones we wrote on this week, are past clients. That's about the only buyers I personally work with, I just don't think they would like being passed off to a buyer agent and I enjoy re-connecting with them in person. Trust is already established.

12/13/2007 06:26 AM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor)

Hi Kris,

Nicely done,the wy we do business has changed through technology, but the people are the same and they are why we do it! :)

12/13/2007 06:30 AM

by Suzanne Sands-Somerset, MA Real Estate (Century 21 Associates Realty)

Missy: I'm on a roll today with causing confusion...I'm so sorry. I went back and edited my post. The buyers are 2 completely different buyers. The point I was trying to make is that the people business hasn't changed - that this is what is important no matter how many peripheral changes we see going on in the real estate market.

I was thrilled to read your article yesterday about your buyers, and am glad to hear they are "repeat" buyers. They trust you Missy, and I'm so glad they have found their new home for the holidays!

12/13/2007 06:31 AM

by Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate (RE/MAX Advantage 1, Inc.)

Suzanne: We could write a novel about how much has changed in the real estate industry, but one constant is the people. They're whats important. Thanks so much Suzanne.

12/13/2007 06:32 AM

by Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate (RE/MAX Advantage 1, Inc.)

Kris,

It's always a people business and will never change...if it turns into robots I might have to fight them...working with the human is much more fulfilling.

12/13/2007 06:50 AM

by Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL (RE/MAX Premier Associates)

Kris, I hear all the time that real estate is about "numbers", but I think we forget that the "numbers" are people who need our help. Wonderful post!

12/13/2007 06:50 AM

by Linda Scanlan (A Fan of AR)

Neal: I was telling my husband the same thing the other night. If it stops becoming a "people" business I will be retiring early.

Linda: I hate it when someone asks me about my "numbers"...I would rather rattle off names of happy home owners.

12/13/2007 06:56 AM

by Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate (RE/MAX Advantage 1, Inc.)

Kris, you are so right! This REALLY deserves a gold star my friend! I think agents who use the net will win in the long run. Think about it, we have so much more knowledge available at our fingertips and knowledge is power. There is no way back in the mid 90's (when I was licensed in Neb) I could have pulled and analyzed the stats I do now. My clients like hearing stats and I like to see where our market is headed.

With AR I was able to have a deeper understanding of the mortgage markets and give my sellers heads up in February and July about the blips. In July I was more serious in my tone telling them to slash the price, take it off the market or put it up for rent.

If I relied on the main stream media, there is no way I could continue on. I would think the world is coming to an end...LOL!

12/13/2007 07:40 AM

by Renee Burrows - Las Vegas NV Real Estate (Nevada Realty Solutions)

Kris, I love your comment about using names of happy home owners rather than numbers. That really says it all - we are not selling a product, we are just helping other people.

12/13/2007 08:25 AM

by Lisa Heindel, New Orleans West Bank Real Estate (Latter & Blum Inc. Realtors)

Kris: That is one of the most important truths that you have put in front of us. We are in the business of 'people'...pure and simple. GET that right...and success is guaranteed. Have a great day!

12/13/2007 08:54 AM

by Elizabeth Nieves - Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team (The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams)

Kris - You are right.The "body" may change but the goal will be the same....helping people!

12/13/2007 09:41 AM

by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)

Renee: Loved your comment. We absolutely cannot rely on the mainstream media to tell us how to conduct business. It's bad enough that it is in our consumers face repeatedly. It's still a "people" business and it's about time that the media realizes it is more about raw numbers.

Lisa: Thank you. Yes, I fully agree. I just noticed you are from New Orleans. Bless you for sticking with the business there AND the people. They need you more than ever.

Elizabeth: I tend to ramble, but I also love to reminisce and that is what got me going yesterday :-)

Gary: The goal is always the same Gary, thank you so much.

12/14/2007 04:12 AM

by Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate (RE/MAX Advantage 1, Inc.)

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