Special offer

10 Questions you Need to Ask Today's Buyers

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | Pen Fed Realty 3107554

1)  What is the residence type you are interested in?

Primary, 2nd Home, or Investment?

2)  Whay type of property are you looking to buy?

Condo, Home, Lot?

3)  Where do you currently live?  Do you rent now or do you own a primary home now?  Do you plan to sell in order to buy or are you going to rent your current residence?

4)  What is your credit score/credit history?

5)  Are you a 1st time Home buyer?

6)  Income and Employment?

7)  What assests do you have?  Funds must be verified.

8)  Should I use a bank or a mortgage broker?

9) Who are all the players associated with a purchase and what fees do they charge?

10)  Do you know all of your monthly costs you will incur after purchasing a new home?  Electric, child care, groceries, gasoline, cable, phone, internet, car loan, etc......

Kelly Klein

Red Hot Realty

850-420-2480

Lisa Long
Heather Roda Broker - Paso Robles, CA

Great list. Its amazing what people don't think of. Another one is closing costs. I cant tell you how many times people have thought that was part of their down payment.

Mar 04, 2009 06:29 AM
Kelly Klein
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | Pen Fed Realty - Santa Rosa Beach, FL
"Doing Great Things Today to Improve Tomorrow"

Lisa,

You are right.  That is another good one to explain.  There are so many things we need to remember.  Taking education courses keeps you fresh on these skills.

Have a good day.

Kelly

Mar 04, 2009 06:34 AM
Mott Marvin Kornicki
Waterway Realtors® • Notary Public & Apostille - Sunny Isles, FL
Miami Notary & Apostille 786-229-7999

Kelly~

Another good question is "When do you plan on taking occupancy?" I've had many "buyers" that are really just "lookers" thinking about making a purchase next year!

 

Mar 04, 2009 07:04 AM
Kelly Klein
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | Pen Fed Realty - Santa Rosa Beach, FL
"Doing Great Things Today to Improve Tomorrow"

Mott,

Thank you.  Yes, of course.  The list can get quite long.  These were just starters that I shared from a course I took today.

Thank you.

Mar 04, 2009 07:43 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Kelly, good basic questions and info.  To this day, i still work off a buyer (or seller) question sheet to make sure I don't forget anything.

Mar 05, 2009 01:15 AM
Cindy Crutcher
Lawrenceburg KY Foreclosures & Government Owned Properties - Lawrenceburg, KY
Real Estate Broker - Exit Realty Crutcher Lawrenceburg KY

Kelly,  "Do you have any credit issues?"  That is a big one these days!  It is unbelieveable how many people think they can file bankruptcy then just go buy a house.  Thanks for sharing....great post!

Mar 05, 2009 08:46 AM
Kelly Klein
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | Pen Fed Realty - Santa Rosa Beach, FL
"Doing Great Things Today to Improve Tomorrow"

Hi Cindy,

The buyer pool has gotten smaller due to the requirements and tightening of funds now.  However, I live in a Military Town and we just got the F35 approved for our area.  The military is all around the Panhandle of Florida and helps to sustain the economy here.  The banks love to loan VA, FHA, USDA and 203K loans because all of them are government back loans and less risk to the banks.  We do a lot of these here.  USDA is great if you are in a rural area and I believe you are in Lawrenceburg, KY if I remember right.  It is 100% financing.  Team up with a mortgage lender who can explain the benefits of this program to your buyers.  On top of that our military are required to handle their funds appropriately so they almost always have a good credit score.  Where buyers are getting into trouble is with conventional loans requiring a very good credit score of 720 or over and a good down payment.  Reminds me of when I first bought my home and put 20% down, had a good credit score and paid gladly 14.35% to the bank.  Am I dating myself a bit.  It isn't so bad now.  Just all how you look at it.  Have a nice evening.

Mar 05, 2009 10:45 AM
Irene Tron
Valparaiso, IN

Great advice.  Even though some of us may find it difficult to ask some of those questions, they are extremely important.  It sure would save us a lot a wasted time if we had a better idea from the start if there are some issues.  Great post.

Mar 10, 2009 01:31 AM