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First Time Homebuyer in Melbourne, Florida finds a perfect home - Now meet their parents.

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Paradise, Satellite Beach, FL

I was working with a First Time Homebuyer searching for a home in Melbourne, Florida.  They were a young couple who had made great financial decisions along the way were were ready to pull the trigger on a home.  After an initial Needs Assessment meeting we determined that they were a fit for the First Time Home Buyers program.

Here in Brevard County, there are a number of programs available.  The City of Melbourne, the City of Palm Bay, the City of Titusville and Brevard County each have their version of downpayment assistance for First Time Home Buyers.   In addition to these programs, we also have the $7500 or $5000 bond that is available through designated lenders.First Time Homebuyer in Melbourne, Florida - Meet the Parents

We set up a personalized MLS website for them that automatically populated itself with listings matching their criteria.  We had a solid pre-approval letter from a local lender who was experienced in working with our First Time Home Buyer Programs and got them signed up for the mandatory class with Community Housing Initiative.  I happened to be teaching the class that month so everything was going perfectly.

We looked at about 20 homes before the found “the home”.  They loved it and then the wife looks at me and says, “My dad, would like to see it before we sign anything.”  The husband gives me this look that says he is NOT down with dad coming but apparently he has no choice in the matter.  I welcomed the opportunity to show it, under one condition.  They go through my parent training course.  Been down this road before - it’s better when kids are prepared. 

  • Parents want to feel like they are protecting you. (They point out flaws)
  • Parents want to show you their “wisdom” and “knowledge” (They tell you horror stories) 
  • They may simply not like the home. 

When this happens, discretely look at me and wink.  Your parents are just being parents.  Hug your dad and thank them for his input.  Keep your focus.  You’re making an offer on this home because:

  • The location is right.
  • The layout is right.
  • The price is right and the risk is manageable.

Remember, you’ll be living here (not your parents). 

The parents performed beautifully and it was all my buyers could do not to openly laugh a few times.  Her father caught a significant feature I missed and actually helped seal the deal.  All in all, I ended up with a very happy First Time Homebuyer who purchased a beautiful home in Melbourne, Florida.

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  Joseph E. Robinson III, GRI, e-Pro Realtor®
Licensed Florida Real Estate Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker Paradise®
232 5th Ave., Indialantic, FL 32903
321-300-6876 - Mobile, Text Message
http://JosephRobinson.com
 

Comments(22)

Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I like that Joseph, I may definitely need to use that in the future, thanks.

Aug 01, 2011 11:58 PM
Jean Singleton
Capital Realty Experts - Rexford, NY
Specializing in Your Special Needs

I love this post!  Glad for the happy ending for you.  I just had some buyers who's parents talked them out of letting an agent help them.

Aug 01, 2011 11:59 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Excellent, Joesph.  The parent thing can be a real deal killer.  Glad to see your situation worked out so well!!

Aug 02, 2011 01:18 AM
Margie Kopp Sorrell
Coldwell Banker Lake Oconee Realty and Lake Country - Greensboro, GA
Lake Oconee Real Estate

Sounds like the husband isn't exactly the "ol' ball-n-chain" when it comes to this couple! I'm sure her Dad had their best interests at heart, like you said, but I'm super glad that in this situation worked out well for you and them!

Aug 02, 2011 01:38 AM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

What a great story, Joseph!  My sister and I are a two-headed monster as we scour the local towns looking for a suitable home for her daughter.  You know the house:  Looks like a million, costs only $10?  LOL - Every young couple should go through your "parent training course".  Wish I had!  Thanks!

Aug 02, 2011 01:45 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Joseph, the "parent training course" is an excellent idea. Parents mean well for their children when buying a home. Glad your story has a happy ending.

Aug 02, 2011 01:57 AM
Joseph Robinson
Coldwell Banker Paradise, Satellite Beach, FL - Melbourne, FL
Melbourne Florida Homes for Sale, MLS Real Estate Search
Carolyn! I love it. Each opinion costs a "relative" portion of the deposit. I like it. The ol "Put your money where your mouth" is.
Aug 02, 2011 02:00 AM
Deb McNeill
Flying M Team Small World Realty Fort Worth, Tx - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

The parent inspection training course. Love it! Gonna steal!

LOL I also love Carolyn's client's idea of 'the parental opinion' deposit...

Well done!

Aug 02, 2011 03:14 AM
Jeff Coon
Annie Mac Home Mortgage - Toms River, NJ
Branch Manager

This was an interesting post.  Parents will be parents.  Sometimes this works out very good, other times, ....... :)

Aug 02, 2011 03:29 AM
Alan Kent
Keller Williams Realty Lake Oconee - Greensboro, GA
Lake Oconee Real Estate

One of my first showings ever was to a nice young couple like you described. Then, the daughter said that the Mom & Dad had to come out to see it. She warned me that the Dad was a little overbearing. He picked the home to pieces, even asking what the 3" hole in the front yard was from? Needless to say, he killed the deal! Family members and friends really know how to kill a deal by coming along, and trying to show the buyers how much they know...

Aug 02, 2011 03:42 AM
Dan Weis
Comey & Shepherd Realtors - Cincinnati, OH
Cincy Real Estate Advisor

Great post!

I always invite a buyer's parents to come along when viewing homes, because otherwise they will "shoot down" the buyers have chosen if they hadn't seen all of the rest.

Aug 02, 2011 05:01 AM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566
What a great ending to a well written story. This is a good reblog of the day, too.
Aug 02, 2011 05:55 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Great post! So true! Glad the transaction worked out for you and your clients.

Aug 02, 2011 06:02 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

My parents weren't invited to my first home until I closed on it. LOL 

Aug 02, 2011 07:02 AM
Nancy Conner
Olympia, WA
Olympia/Thurston County WA

Love your "parent training course"!!  Especially parents trying to "help" long distance when they haven't seen the homes available and don't know local market conditions - ummmm - challenging.  So good to prepare buyers for this ahead of time.

Aug 02, 2011 07:20 AM
John Davison
Coldwell Banker - Cary, NC
Raleigh-Cary-Triangle NC

I like the counseling you give the parents.  My feeling to parents, you had your say for the first 18 years, now leave well enough alone, check your egos at the door and trust that the kids you raised can function productively on their own.  A little concern is ok, but too much is intrusive.

Aug 02, 2011 07:31 AM
Cameron Wilson
Labrum Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
The Short Guy - Murrieta,Temecula,Menifee Californ

Parent training course!!!!! Love that aspect of letting the buyers know ahead of time what they can expect when the folks give the place a look see. Excellent.

Aug 02, 2011 10:22 AM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

I am with Tammy, I didn't invite my Mom or Dad to my first home until move in day after closing!!

Aug 02, 2011 02:53 PM
J. Philip Faranda
Howard Hanna Rand Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Associate Broker / Office Manager

Parents seem to run either hot or cold. I am glad this one worked out, and I have seen the other side where the parents can't understand why they can't buy a mansion for $40,000 like they did back in '78. 

Aug 02, 2011 03:21 PM
Mike Litton
Mike Litton, Broker Associate - Escondido, CA
Realtor - 760-522-1227 - Homes For Sale Escondido

This awesome Joeseph! Thank you for sharing! Great training!

Aug 02, 2011 03:37 PM