CAN YOU RECOMMEND A REAL ESTATE AGENT?

     Need A Real Estate Agent Recommendation?

CAN YOU RECOMMEND A REAL ESTATE AGENT?

I've heard this three times this week. It is a sign spring is around the corner. Requests for prequalifications are on the rise and along with it requests for recommendations for a real estate agent.

I love being asked  this question because I have several real estate agents I can recommend. Once I get a feel for the buyer/seller I can easily recommend an agent to help them out. 

Just like real estate agents like to do business with lenders they know and trust, we like to recommend agents we know and trust.

When I'm asked for a recommendation it is a sign the buyer has not put the cart before the horse. Buying a home is serious business; getting a good sense of what one can afford and what one WANTS to afford is key. It is also helpful to get a "lay of the land", if you will, before shopping for a home. Besides the actual financial piece I like to set realistic expectations for the entire process. 

Once a home buyer is prequalified for a purchase, they have an idea of the type loan that will suit them best, how much money they will need, what their budget will look like, what limitations there are on the property based on financing, and an understanding of the roles of other service providers. 

I admit I like getting the home buyers first because I can educate them. It may seem logical to start with a real estate agent, but the agent is going to insist home buyers take a step back and get prequalified.  I recommend agents, AND I highly recommend prequalifications!