Special offer

Just because you are approved for $250,000 doesn't mean you have to spend that much.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843


I recently received a call from a family that was fired up and ready to go!  They were so excited to start looking at homes in the Aboite area in South West Fort Wayne.  

The husband had just gotten a promotion, and they were ready to stop renting and buy!  

They were pre-approved for around $250,000.  That's a lot of house in the Fort Wayne real estate market.  They sent me a list of homes that they wanted to see.  All of them were close to that $250,000 mark.  

But here's the thing.  They were looking at new construction homes in a certain subdivision.  I knew of a few other subdivisions that were 5-12 years old that had similar homes, similar sized lots, and that were closer to the $200,000 price point.  

I went ahead and sent them over the lower priced listings, and they loved them!  We went out, found the perfect home, and they saved a lot of money.  They thanked me for being straight with them and helping them see that just because they CAN buy a home at the top of their price point, they didn't have to.  


Posted by

 

 

   

Fort Wayne Realtors Jared and Amanda Christiansen with Century 21 Bradley

Amanda Christiansen is an award winning Realtor with Christiansen Group Realty.

 

Jared Christiansen is a business partner and in charge of marketing and taking care of things behind the scene.

 

Enough about us...

 

Tell us what you want your real estate experience to be, and we will do it YOUR way.

 

Buying a home in Fort Wayne? Tell us your wants and needs. Let us know how you envision your family living.  Tell us what's important to YOU, and we'll find the community and home that fits.  

 

Selling your home in Fort Wayne?  Our job is to make you the most money possible in the shortest amount of time. We offer our sellers professional staging, professional photography, and more internet marketing than most. 

 

We are committed to giving you everything we have to offer.  We are both full time agents and will work around your schedule.  Do nights and weekends work better for you?  NO PROBLEM. We are here to help YOU at YOUR convenience.

 

Amanda can be reached at 260-704-0843, and Jared can be reached at 260-704-0842, or you can email us at JaredChristiansen@gmail.com, or Amanda427@gmail.com.

 

 

Comments(14)

Carol-Ann Palmieri
RE/MAX Executive Realty, Al and Cal Realty Group - Franklin, MA
"Cal" the Real Estate Gal

Hi Christiansen Team.   Right on.   Just because you can afford more doesn't mean you want or need it!  

Dec 18, 2012 09:04 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

The Christiansen Team-Putting your client's interests ahead of your own. That's what a REALTOR should do. Hopefully that will get you some referral business from them too because you treated them fairly.

Dec 18, 2012 09:13 AM
Joel Weihe
Realty World Alliance - Wichita, KS
Helping you to use your VA home loan benefits

That's our job! To look out for the best interest of our clients, not ourselves. Good job sir!!

Dec 18, 2012 09:28 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

I ususally have a budget discussion that has little to do with what a buyer is approved for.  With the current low intrest rates the money goes a lot further than they think.

Dec 18, 2012 09:29 AM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Jamanda,

It's never a bad thing being an advocate for your client. Good job!

Rich

Dec 18, 2012 10:25 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Jared, Sometimes agents get tagged by buyers as trying to make them spend everything the buyers are qualified for. I think you proved that you have the best interests of the buyer at heart. Suggested.

Dec 18, 2012 10:35 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Jamanda~ Good work! You were truly looking out for the best interest of your client.  <suggested>

Dec 18, 2012 12:10 PM
Bobbie Smith
Stroudsburg, PA
570-242-1891

Excellent post. This is the best advice that they could have received.  With the cost of everyday items continuing to rise you need to keep that residual income a tad higher that we used to have too.  Excellent advice.  They are going to be thanking you for years to come.

Dec 18, 2012 09:19 PM
Cheryl Eskridge
Eskridge Real Estate - Eagle River, WI
ABR, CRS, GRI, PMN, Broker, Licensed in WI & TX

Amen! It's our job to be sure the buyers get the most value for their money and they spend wisely. It is this over spending that got us into trouble before so as professionals we need to make sure we counsel them on buying a home they love within the confines of their budget and not use everything they are approved for. Thanks for the blog it makes great sense.

Dec 18, 2012 09:22 PM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Thanks for all of your thoughts.  I've seen friends and family spend more than they should and become house poor.  No reason to spend it all if you can find what you want in a little bit lower price range.  

Dec 18, 2012 09:52 PM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Jared I totally agree.  In fact a couple of weeks back I did a blog on the fact of not being house poor.  I preach it to all my clients. 

Dec 19, 2012 09:21 AM
EMILIA B COOPER, REALTOR® SFR.NCHSE.AHWD
LAROSA REALTY - Orlando, FL
Short Sales, Foreclosure & Bank Owned Real Estate

The Christiansen

Great point on your blog, I have a buyer who turned out to be pre-approved for a certain amount, and then I told them that they really don't need spend all that much money, and they were grateful for it. Thanks for sharing!

Dec 19, 2012 09:34 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Jamanda- Good for you for showing them other homes in a lower price point! No one should be house poor. I'm sure they will tell everyone they know how honest you were. Great work! Merry Christmas!

Dec 24, 2012 12:15 AM