Special offer

How Strong Should A Buyers Pre Approval Letter Be

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Realty Executive Midwest

 

The lovely world of multiple offer situations creates the question of how mortgage lenders should write a pre-approval letter that doesn’t compromise their clientsnegotiating power.  One school of thought is to state how much the buyer is approved for, while another says only list what your client is able to spend.

 

My feeling has and probably always will be to state in the pre-approval letter that a purchaser can qualify for more than the homes they are looking to purchase.  A person might say “ Won’t a seller use that against the buyer?”  Only if the purchaser and the purchasers Realtor will allow it.

 

I have always told the buyer, “ I can afford to pay $15 for a gallon of milk but I won’t.”  The same goes for houses and mortgages.  Many people were left borrowing more than they could comfortably afford prior to the housing bubble.

 

We are seeing multiple offers again, but this time the buyers are going to be a little more cautious, so let the sellers see how strong the buyer is and don’t worry about being too strong of a buyer for a certain home.  It’s a good life!

 

Kathy Stoltman
Ventura, CA
RETIRED

Hi Joe, I want the preapproval letter to state that the buyers are approved for the amount of their offer.  I will know off record that they are approved for more.

Apr 09, 2013 09:44 AM
Joe Kenny
Realty Executive Midwest - Darien, IL
Better Than Your Average Joe

Kathy and if their offer is 80% of list price then what?  I just like to show I have a very strong buyer for a particular home.

Apr 13, 2013 11:03 AM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Hi Joe-  it is true... you can have the pre-approval for just the purchase amount but if multiple bidding then we want them too look like great well qualified buyers also..

Jun 24, 2013 06:30 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Wanting it and needing it are two different animals for sure.

Jul 02, 2013 07:51 PM