Special offer

Do I Need Proof of Funds (POF) in My Relocation?

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

Do I Need Proof of Funds (POF) in My Relocation?

 

When buying a new home in your relocation, you should expect to provide proof of funds (video), often abbreviated in the real estate world as POF. This is essential if you are paying cash, but a smart thing to do even when you are getting a loan.

 

It's all about the moneySellers want to know that you are qualified to purchase (e.g., have a current written pre-approval) and that you have the funds on top of the financing for the purchase (i.e., the deposit, a.k.a. earnest money deposit; the down payment, and the closing costs).

 

Plus listing agents may require the POF with the offer - I do!

 

There are a number of ways to document proof of funds, most commonly bank statements (black out the account numbers), but a letter from your banker, or the loan officer who has verified the funds, might be acceptable. In a competitive market when there are multiple offers providing the POF upfront in the offer is a good idea.

 

Relocation is not for dummiesYou don’t need to show ALL of your assets (your mortgage professional will have that), nor does the seller need to know how much money you might have.

 

But the seller will want to know that, if you are paying $600K and getting a loan for $450K, you have at least $150K in assets plus closing costs.

 

You will want a POF with your name and the bank name, too. And if the funds are from other people not on the offer you may have some explaining to do - certainly the lender will ask (e.g., one spouse is buying the house but the other is contributing funds, or there are bank accounts with different names).

 

Make sure you will be able to provide this when we submit an offer here in the Carlsbad area.

 

Keep in mind that things may work differently in other states with respect to making offers so be sure to check with YOUR agent and be prepared.

 

Need more relocation tips? Check out my Relocation A to Z Blog. I am happy to help from start to finish with your relocation here to SoCal, or with a move out of this area.

 

Check out the complete Relocation Tips and Advice video series on YouTube

 

If you are moving someplace outside SoCal, I can still assist you. I have a large network of highly qualified agents around the country that I know, and can make an introduction to the right person to help find your new home and/or sell your current one.

 

Here are the prior articles (with videos) in this series in case you missed them:

 

Video #17 – How to Handle Closing on Your Home in Your Relocation

 

Video #16 – Can You Make a Contingency Offer in Your Relocation?

 

Video #15 – Making an Offer in Your Relocation

 

Video #14 - Top Tips for Searching for a Home Online in Your Relocation

 

Video 13 – Preparing for the Move in Your Relocation

 

Video #12 – Relocating with Pets

 

Video #11 – Making the Most of Your House Hunting Trips in Your Relocation

 

Video #10 – Help Your REALTOR® Help You in Your Relocation

 

Video #9 – Finding School, Crime and Other Information During Your Relocation

 

Video #8 – Packing for your Relocation: Do It Yourself or Not

 

Video #7 – Making Your List and Checking it Twice: Your Relocation Checklist That Is

 

Video #6 – Questions to Ask Your Movers

 

Video #5 - Buying vs. Renting When Relocating to Your New Home

 

Video #4 – Finding the Right REALTOR® to Help in Your Relocation

 

Video #3 – Moving with a Relocation Package

 

Video #2 – Getting Pre-Approved

 

Video #1 – Relocation Expenses

 

Introduction to Relocation Tips Video Series

 

Posted by

Jeff Dowler, CRS
Certified Residential Specialist / Realtor®


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Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

I'm stepping back a little further.  I won't be working with a buyer unless they have shown me their ability to purchase.  And yes, to answer your question, relocation buyers should have their ability to purchase in place and documented.

Aug 09, 2014 05:10 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Raul - I have had the same reaction. I put it to them like this...imagine YOU are the seller...

Jared - that is certainly appropriate and seems to be the majority of opinions here

Christopher - well with all the issues regarding financing, fraud, etc. I think it makes sense, and it's not hard to do. Buyers have to prove it to lenders

Susan - agreed. And a serious buyer will undestand and want to do so. Thanks for the compliment

Rob - so true. Sometimes buyers are agast at the details that the underwriter requires, inclulding the paper trails for deposits and withdrawals, and more, plus the details around annuities, pensions and so on

Richie - it should not be a surprise to anyone these days

Geoff - and I would not either

Athina - and reasonable and serious buyer will understand that. But sometimes we have to educate them about the whys

Jeff

Aug 09, 2014 05:37 AM
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Jeff, very good advice for cash buyer and buyers getting a loan.  It's really hard to convince people sometimes and how embarrassing for them when they find out they can't qualify for a year.  OOPS!

Aug 09, 2014 05:37 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Gene - that's an excellent way to think about it

Nina - absolutely. Relocation can just complicate it a bit if people are traveling to make an offer and don't have ready access to be able to provide POF. Although with technology these days it should rarely be an issue. And banks differ in what they provide online in terms of downloads

Richie - ha ha. They can certainly change, can't they?

Dwight - it is the right way these days

Kathleen - and even with the POF and pre-approval sometimes things don't go as planned. But it sure is risky to not take these precautions, no matter which side of the fence you are on

Jeff

Aug 09, 2014 05:57 AM
Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent/Associate Broker
RVA Home Team - Richmond, VA
RVA Home Team - Winning with Integrity.

I have had people document with bank statements and with a quick letter from the banker. It really doesn't take much longer and it goes a long way in showing a seller that you are serious, especially in a multiple bid situation. 

Aug 09, 2014 06:28 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Jeff, this is so true.   Had a relocation buyer from out of the Country here this week and will be paying cash, and had to have a conversation on how to provide proof of funds.

Aug 09, 2014 09:41 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I would plan anothe 3 months ahead if it were me I think.

Aug 09, 2014 04:53 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

This is a really painful issue for me as a real estate agent. I don't understand why so many agents are sending offers without a proof of funds that the clients has money he/she claims to have( in RPA)? I just received a full price offer without POF. I was waiting for 3 days, they never sent me POF and just unformed me that they are withdrawing the offer. So weird!

Aug 09, 2014 05:03 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

An offer is only as good as the confidence a seller has that the buyer can really pay!

Aug 09, 2014 11:07 PM
Eileen Burns 954.483.3912
Trans State Commercial Realty Inc. - Fort Lauderdale, FL
FLorida Real Estate Connector

Beware of POF -- some investors can actually print there own online!  I presented an $11.0MM offer on a hotel with such a piece of paper.  when we called the company, they never heard of the buyer.  The attorneys for the seller heard of this online company and echoed it is worthless.  Not enough to receive...must verify further

Aug 10, 2014 03:50 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Than - I have had a similar experience, both with regard to POFs and the clear lack of loyalty from a few buyers

Kat - that seems to be the consensus

Chris Ann - well, like you, that makes NO sense to me.

Joan - standard practice does enter into the equation. I would think, though, in a competitive bid situation is would make sense

David - yep it should be straight-forward, but some don't look at it that way. Just like many don't seem to understand the importance of getting pre-approved before they start looking. How can you truly know what you can afford if you don't? It's just blind guesswork then

Carla - it just does not make sense to not be able to demonstrate the ability to purchase at some level

Sybil - there ARE buyers who are surprised. With the more stringent requirements getting pre-approved is not so easy

Shannon - absolutely. And they have to do so anyway with a lender

Jeff

Aug 10, 2014 04:10 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Hey, Jeff!  I included this post in today's Last Week's Favorites! 

Aug 10, 2014 05:31 AM
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

I personally won't show homes to buyers if they are unable to provide POF after our initial buyer's consultation. This is especially true if they claim to be cash buyers.

Aug 10, 2014 02:36 PM
Maria Gilda Racelis
Home Buyers Realty, LLC-Manchester, Bolton. Vernon,Ellington - Manchester, CT
Home Ownership is w/in Reach. We Make it Happen!

Hi Jeff: This is the first time I think to stop by your blog. I saw it on Patricia's and saw you too with Ed Silva. Excellent advice. For a high-end homes, a fat account or good amount $$$ account is crucial.

Aug 10, 2014 09:26 PM
Greg Nino
RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX
Houston, Texas

I expect the funds to be liquid as well. If they're tied up in some "account" over seas we could (and most likely will) have problems, delays or worse, a cancelation. Funds from communistic countries, The Patriot Act, delays with couriers.. it can all be difficult. Then couple in the fact that many buyers don't realize how expensive it is to take out 3 or 4 hundred grand from their retirement account or worse, their 401k. Sigh. I need a beer. 

Aug 11, 2014 02:15 AM
Will Nesbitt
Nesbitt Realty at Condo Alexandria - Alexandria, VA
Nesbitt Realty is a family-run brokerage.

Jeff Dowler, this is a very popular blog article on Active Rain.

Aug 11, 2014 05:19 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Joan - it's an essential conversation to have, even more so for cash buyers

Laura  - yep

Inna - yep, happened to me, too. Big red flag, especially if you ask for it and don't get it

Gary - well said

Eileen - that's an excellent point.It pays to be a bit suspicious just in case

Pat - thank you. Nice compliment

Jeff

Aug 11, 2014 06:03 AM
Ted Glover
Alderman Classic Realty, LLC - Moultrie, GA
ABR in Moultrie, Georgia 229-854-5422

Jeff it is essential for a cash buyer. It should be with every offer but that doesn't happen here in South Georgia. Some owner/sellers as well as relocation and bank reo do require some form of loan approval or bank letter with the offer or within 24 after acceptance. It makes sense to show the sellers just how strong the offer is.

Aug 11, 2014 10:33 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Jeff.  Another great post...This is something many agents question buyers about. It is best to have proof .. This is a subject I hear many agents complain about . Buyers need to show proof not only to the seller but to their agent that they have cash funds 

Aug 11, 2014 11:59 AM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Jeff,

Excellent series for anyone considering relocating.  Having POF is important, here it has to be submitted with the offer.

Aug 12, 2014 09:29 AM