Last week, when I blogged about Home Sellers Etiquette, one of the comments was there was a need for Buyers Etiquette as well. So here goes J
We would not be in business without The Buyer! The Buyer is our bread and butter and we appreciate every one, but there are a few things that the buyer could do that would help us as well as themselves.
1. Agents do not need to know your financial situation, but we do need to have an idea of what you can afford. So please consider going and getting pre-approved for a loan. There is nothing I hate worse than taking a client to a home, they fall in love with it and the next thing you know is that they cannot afford it. Everything the buyer looks at after will break their heart, because it will not live up to the home that they could not afford to buy. So find a lender, (actually interview several to find the best fit for you) and get pre-approved. I request all my clients find that special lender before we go out the first time, so it is a win-win for all parties involved including the potential seller.
2. Remember that the agent does have other clients, (would you really want to use them, if you were their only client?), so if you see a home or two that you would like to see remember a couple of things:
- Houses are shown by appointment, usually there is at least a 2 hour notice the agent has to give to show a home.
- Your wonderful J agent may be working with someone else when you call. She/he really wants to help you, but they also want to do the best for the client that they are with when you called. I know you would prefer that the agent not answer their phone when they are with you, so please understand why they didn't answer when you called either. I promise, your agent will do their very best to get you into the home as soon as possible.
3. You do not have to waste your valuable time calling each agent from each sign of each property you find. The agent that you pick has access to the entire MLS (multiple listing system) and will be able to find out the information for you. Your agent is your “one stop shopping” information guru. If you can’t wait for your agent to find out about a home, please let the listing agent know that you do have representation and are just calling for information on the home.
4. If you go to a new home construction neighborhood, be kind enough to put your realtor’s name on the sign in sheet. Your agent has been driving you around to see homes; she/he has used her/his gas and time to help you find your perfect home. Most home builders have built in the cost of a agent, so there is no true savings by not using your agent Your agent can actually help you get a better deal on upgrades most of the time.
Remember the goal is to find the home that you love in the timeliest manner and to be able to close and move in so that you can Live Your Happily Ever After. Together you and your agent can make your dream a reality.
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