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Could Prequalifying Your Buyer Save Your Life?

By
Industry Observer

 

Ever wonder what happens when you read too many Active Rain blog posts???  They make you think… that’s what happens!  And sometimes, those ideas merge.  I am choosing to call it Hybrid Blogging!

That’s what happened to me yesterday.  I read one post about how September is National REALTOR® Safety Month and another on whether REALTORS® should show homes to clients who have not been prequalified for a mortgage.

Now here’s the “Aha” moment… watch for it now… if you have your buyers prequalified before you take them out to show them properties, your office and/or mortgage lender will have their personal information on file should anything happen.  Names, addresses, social security numbers… all the good stuff!

There’s also the fact that if someone is thinking of doing their agent harm, they would not be likely to provide the information necessary to get prequalified, and the added benefit that your preferred mortgage loan officer will love you even more since they will have the opportunity to build a relationship with even more home buyers.

So, don’t ever take your personal safety as a REALTOR® for granted.  Always stay alert when dealing with prospective buyers or sellers who you do not know, but take the steps to be sure that you do whatever you can to reduce the risk involved in the performance of your responsibilities as a REALTOR®. 

Any client worth having will understand the need to protect yourself from potentially dangerous situations. 

 

Comments (5)

Mitchell J Hall
Manhattan, NY
Lic Associate RE Broker - Manhattan & Brooklyn

Steve, That is what I call thinking out of the box!  Pre-qualify and safety rolled in one. Excellent spin.

Aug 29, 2010 02:45 PM
Rita Fong
RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 - Marion, AR
Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale

Steve, great thinking.  That's another reason why we should pre-qual the buyers before doing anything with them.

Aug 29, 2010 02:48 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Gonna use this tomorrow in the training program.  Thanks!  :)

Aug 29, 2010 05:36 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I have to say if the person isn't pre-qualified, how do you know they can even afford the homes they are looking at. Seems like a big waste of time to me to take someone out who isn't pre-qualified.

Aug 31, 2010 04:26 AM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Steve,

Very good advice.  In my Principles 1 class this week we talked about this very thing.  Amazing how many agents will just get up and go meet someone at a house.

Sep 03, 2010 12:17 AM