Special offer

NO one will work with us because we don't have alot of $$money$$ to spend and we aren't looking for an expensive place.

By
Real Estate Agent with Sky Realty South Austin

I had an interesting conversation with a new customer yesterday.  First, let me acknowledge that the lead came in thru my ACTIVE RAIN comment email...  so Thanks again, Active Rain. (even though I wasn't in my jammies at that time, I could have been because the web was still working for me).

So in this conversation, the Lady said, "we were looking at some other places with another REALTOR", my brain said STOP.  I asked," are you working with another Realtor now?"  She said, "No, no one wants to give us the time of day because we are not looking for a very expensive property".  My brain said, HUH?, then she went on to say, "I had called others but no one wants to give us any time or work with us because we aren't going to find something easily, but I know with all the bank foreclosures surely there is something we can afford."

Now its time for clarity.  I said, I will work with you but only as a Buyers Representative, I then explained the Information About Brokerage Services, and a Buyers Representative Agreement, I stated, I am only asking for a two week agreement, and if you  are unhappy with me, or I can't help you before the end of two weeks, say 5 or 6 days, then we can call it quits and shake hands and go along our way.  But, if we do find a home for you and go under contract the Buyers Rep Agreement goes to the end of the contract. 

She listened carefully and said, "two weeks is fair, thank you".  We had a discussion then ended the conversation and today, I expect to show her and her family a few homes in the area and in the price range she is looking for.  Yes those prices do exist but they are limited.

During the whole conversation what kept coming back to me was, no one will work with us because we don't have a lot of money to spend and we aren't looking for an expensive place. You know folks, that's just sad, it doesn't matter to me, if your dream home is a $40,000 mobile home on a piece of ground that you can call your own or a $1,000,000,000 palace on lookout mountain.  Its your home, a place of your own, where you can plant your flowers or tomatoes and take off your shoes and sit around in your jammies on the computer all morning sipping coffee if you chose.

Real Estate may be about a property, but the Real Estate Profession is about PEOPLE.  Are you working for people or property?  Are you a Realtor for EVERY MAN and WOMAN? or does price dictate who you will work with?

Of course I know that sometimes we can't make every ones dream happen ... but if its a possibility, just a bit of an effort to make it happen, isn't that what its about too... its really not just about the money.

Posted by

South Austin Real Estate

Comments (18)

Denise Gray
Realty World Alliance - Wichita, KS
Realtor SRES, Wichita Kansas Homes

So far the most fun I've had showning homes was with a young man in the Air Force. He ended up purchasing a home for $53,000.

Feb 03, 2009 11:48 PM
South Austin Real Estate Blog
Sky Realty South Austin - Austin, TX

HI Denise, I agree that it isn't the dollar amount that makes for a good time.  Sometimes its the appreciation factor too.  I appreciate their loyalty and they appreciate my knowledge and time.  Its a win all around.  :)

Feb 03, 2009 11:58 PM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

Gail - I have been working with a couple of buyers like that here, also. Unfortunatley, I haven't been able to match them up yet, the quality homes in the range they can afford are all being scarfed up by investors.

Feb 04, 2009 12:06 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Good for you. 

I too have a 15 day Buyers Agency Agreement.  Gives me time to decide if I want to work with them and them to do the same.  If I find that they are not serious or cooperative with financing, I'm gone.

We're taking on buyers in price ranges from the 2000-2003 years.  Our agents know that there's some good buys in foreclosures and short sales and we intend to sell them.

Good for you.

 

Feb 04, 2009 12:07 AM
Stanton Homes
Stanton Homes - New Home Builder - Raleigh, NC
Design/Build Custom Home Builder in North Carolina

I like the two week agreement, that sure keeps the pressure off!  One of the challenges with working with buyers with a lower budget can be insistence on seeing homes that are actually priced at double their budget, with the hope that they can make offers at 50% of asking price.  Sounds like you have the right combination of service and education. 

Feb 04, 2009 12:15 AM
Kenneth Bargers
Prudential Woodmont Realty - Nashville, TN

Gail - Very nice post!  This reminds me of a client of mine with a very low price point.  This couple is a joy to work with and I know we will find the right fit for them.  All the best to you and your business.

Feb 04, 2009 12:24 AM
The Rains Team
Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners - Hoschton, GA
A higher standard in real estate

Gail...I completely agree, we are in the people business! I would never turn away a customer just because their price range is lower than I would like.

Have a great day,

Anne Rains

Feb 04, 2009 12:34 AM
Amanda Brewer
Goff Realty, Inc - Beebe, AR

That happens in our market as well. No one really comes out and says they don't want to work with them but their inattention speaks loud and clear! I have a customer right now that told me I have helped him more in two weeks than the last guy did in two months. My philosophy is a little bit of something is better than nothing at all. Great post, it is the people that we meet that make this a great "job" I can hardly remember the homes but the people I can never forget!

Feb 04, 2009 12:49 AM
Betina Foreman
WJK Realty - Austin, TX
Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY

Great post Gail! I must admit when buyers in my usual range $300-650K slowed this fall, I noticed I began getting more calls in the 90K-200K range. The point is everybody needs a home and everybody deserves a Realtor that is working for them! Kudos!

Feb 04, 2009 02:00 AM
Tony and Libby Kelly
Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere - Lake Oswego, OR
CRS, ABR, ePro, SRES, CLHMS, CDPE

Not to mention that those buyers looking for their first "cheap" house will come back to you when it's time to upgrade.

Feb 04, 2009 02:36 AM
Leslie Prest
Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ
Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

1) We've always worked with people like that (and I've heard those comments from people for the entire 19 years I've been in RE). It's amazing how many agents only want to show high priced places.

2) I like the way you handle a buyer's agreement. It's nice to put a limit on it like that.

Feb 04, 2009 04:05 AM
Brian & Marie Spray
www.DFWAreaRealtors.com - Action Realty Group - Frisco, TX
Frisco TX Realtors

You're doing the right thing Gail!  When you do find them the home they love and buy they will be very grateful to you for all your help and faith!  Buyers like these tend to be very vocal to others about their buying experience and you'll likely have created customers for life!

Feb 04, 2009 05:19 AM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

The first time buyer market can be very profitable.  Get them into that first home, keep in contact with them and grow with them. 

Feb 04, 2009 06:43 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Reminds me of the Realtors around here who won't show properties because the CBB% is "only" 2.5%. They don't understand long-term businesses and relationships.

Feb 04, 2009 09:15 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Good for you Gail, to help them.  I hear the same thing and I always try to help people. I am working with a couple right now to get into a home for a $40's price range.  Those are very few and far between here but they do exist from time to time and this couple will have their home before too much longer.

Feb 04, 2009 01:00 PM
Christine Reams
Austin Title Company (512) 459-7222 - Austin, TX

Great post Gail!  I agree it is the people we work with and to serve that matter the most.  I once had a closing for a land and mobile home of $60K.  They walked away with their Celebration baloons and were so happy!

Feb 04, 2009 02:27 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Gail... good for you!  Dealing with short sales, I frequently list homes for less than $100K and many of the sellers tell me that they experienced the same rejection that your buyer did before she found you.  It feels especially good to help these folks, doesn't it?

Feb 04, 2009 03:23 PM
Shirley Parks
Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX
Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

Hi Gail, I had a client who said the same thing and their price range was good for our area. Go figure.  

Feb 05, 2009 01:45 AM