Things You Should Know About Buying A Home Client Questions

By
Real Estate Agent with Assoc. Broker/Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, @HomesBirmingham & Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL

Things You Should Know About Buying A Home Client Questions

Things You Should Know About Buying A Home Client Questions: Buyers usually have a lot of questions before purchasing a home and one I get a fairly often is; "Why do you want me to use the lender you recommend?"  The short answer is that I have a working relationship with the lender and that I trust them.  I do not have a financial relationship with any of the vendors I use.  

The longer answer is that when the loan officer I use tells me he/she can get the job done and at the lowest cost to my client then I'm all over that.  As a Realtor who has worked with many lenders, I've had the opportunity to watch their ethics in action, get a sense of their knowledge of different products or programs first hand and their willingness to go above and beyond.  Over time I've learned with what loan officers the process goes smoothly and on time with the least inconvenience to my clients.  I worked with a lender once who cost my client a substantial amount of money and extended the close time by nearly two months.  That makes me look bad and does nothing for my reputation except harm it...I don't do business with those lenders again!  Even worse for the my client as it only darkens the perception that many have of the real estate world already.  The process can be stressful enough without the added stress of a lender who is new, does not have the knowledge base, does not put the client first or just doesn't care.

As a buyer you have the right to choose any lender that you want to work with and you need to do your due diligence interviewing different lenders about their rates and what the final costs would be to you...they all differ. 

So, Mr. & Mrs Buyer, Why do I want you to use the lender I suggest?  It's because the lender I choose to work with puts your needs first.  The vendors I use would rather and have walked away from deal if they didn't think it was in the best interest of my client!

Nick T Pappas

If you need a knowledgeable real estate professional in Madison or Huntsville Alabama area, why don't you let me Google that for you! I also know outstanding agents in all states and Canada should you need help relocating to a new area.

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Comments (42)

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

It's not just the lender Nick, it's their "team" -- a misplaced document from the processor, a missed item that the underwriter needs for the file in order to give final approval . . . yup, that's why we recommend.

Aug 20, 2013 01:24 PM
Jon Quist
REALTY EXECUTIVES ARIZONA TERRITORY - Tucson, AZ
Tucson's BUYERS ONLY Realtor since 1996

I definitely have a preferred lender. Used him since 1996. Hasn't let me or my buyers down yet. Probably why he's STILL my preferred lender.

Aug 20, 2013 04:16 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Buyers should work with a lender that is recommended by friends or agent or ask for references and check them.

Aug 20, 2013 08:46 PM
Nina Hollander
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Charlotte/Ballantyne/Waxhaw/Fort Mill Realtor

Great post, Nick. I personally have three lenders I have great trust in and will provide all three names to a client who asks. There are some who might be better at some things than others, so when my client has a special need I might point out that one of my preferred lenders has a specialty in what they need.

Aug 20, 2013 08:52 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I'll say it a million times that caring is is the rrot of all else. you'll not be afraid to get the help you need or give the help needed if you care. :)

 

Love and light,

Laura

Aug 20, 2013 09:24 PM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Amen Nick.  I have a very short list of lenders in the Fort Wayne area that I truly trust.  I recommend them as much as I can to my buyers, and hope that they take my advice and use them.  Not all do, but most of them hear me.  

Aug 20, 2013 09:37 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Nick, excellent point! Most people want to choose a lender solely on the lowest interest rate.

Aug 20, 2013 10:17 PM
Graziella Bruner
NCS Premier Real Estate - Detroit, MI
Associate Broker - Serving Wayne & Oakland County
Excellent post and congrats on the feature. I agree, I let my clients know that I have a team of lenders, inspectors, etc. and each one of my team members are here to make sure that your best interest is at hand and I can trust them to get you to closing.
Aug 20, 2013 10:41 PM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker/Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, @HomesBirmingham & Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Hun... - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

I can't thank you all enough for your comments.  Our reputation is on the line when we refer a client to one of our service providers as well as our clients experience with us.  A positive home buying or selling transaction/process hinges on the the professionals we work with.  We are taught to hand our clients 3 names or a phone book for them to find their own mortgage professionals to release ourselves from liability-Risk Management-but we are also taught to work in our clients best interest.  I don't see how tossing clients a phone book and saying pick one is working in their best interest.  However, you can bet the three names I give them are real estate professionals that are all about the client.

Raymond #19-I remember a client from last year who was extremely skeptical about anyone I would recommend including me and the whole process because of a similar situation like yours.  My client felt that home inspectors, appraisers, lenders, Realtors, Attorneys-anyone involved in the transaction were all "in bed" together trying to line their own pockets at the expense of the client.  I have to tell you that one of my greatest victories was changing that clients perception of the real estate profession.  I like to say that I'm changing the perception of the world of real estate one client at a time.  

Aug 20, 2013 11:15 PM
Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

Very well explained and hopefully it's this type of response to that question that will drive away the myth that you must be in kahoots with the lender.  When we find lenders that mean business, we like to keep them in our circle.

Aug 21, 2013 01:17 AM
Jeff Stevens
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Mexico Properties - Las Cruces, NM
Jeff Stevens, Associate Broker/REALTOR

I have been working with a lady who has quickly gained (and earned) a pristine reputation. I tell my buyers, look around but if you want me to recommend someone it is her. They usually all heed my advice and so far they always come back very satisfied. Good for her. Good for me. Good post! 

Aug 21, 2013 01:33 AM
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker

Loan originators can make or break a transaction.  Staying on top of all the paperwork and verifs is their essential task.  When a Realtor finds a good one, stay close to that person!

Aug 21, 2013 01:52 AM
Anthony Rollins
Keller Williams Realty-Overland Park - Overland Park, KS
The Adam Butler Team

 

Good point Nick. 

 

We want our potential buyer clients to use our preferred lenders because we know that they perform and that they can provide the level of service necessary along the way to facilitate and ensure a smooth transaction for all parties.  Once we have effectively communicated this to them, it's a normal transgression towards them getting on board with us.

 

Cheers!

Aug 21, 2013 02:13 AM
Dwight Puntigan
DRP Realty, LLC - Saint Peters, MO
Dwight Puntigan

One lender does not fit all.  The products that each use the most can easily vary.  One of my preferred lenders does a high volume of FHA rehab loans, another a huge volume of USDA, one can go to a lower credit score than another.  Yes, I like doing business with people, but the service I provide my clients should be tailored to fit their needs.

Aug 21, 2013 02:21 AM
Kelly Taylor
Keller Williams - Lakewood Ranch, FL

I have had this conversation many times. One of my buyers asked me how much money I made if she used "my lender" . It's so hard to find a good, honest professional, why don't customers understand that?

Aug 21, 2013 04:32 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTORĀ®

I have yet to refer a client to TMC in Trinity, Texas that has not been THRILLED with them. And I have been referring folks to them for years. I have, however, had many say they wished they had listened..... 

Aug 21, 2013 12:02 PM
Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528
Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY
Real Estate Salesperson

A good lender is the difference between a smooth transaction and one gone bad.  We all know who the good ones are and when a client takes our recommendation to heart and uses one of the better ones, we know we'll get to the closing talbe with a lot less grief on everyones part.

Aug 21, 2013 01:12 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Nick

A good lender and team can make a world of difference, or it can be a disaster. I had a deal once where 1 week before closing we found out that the entire file the lender had was lost. EVERYTHING has to be completely redone. Granted this was some time ago and perhaps less was done online but it was a major problem in a number of ways. Guess who NEVER got any sort of recommendation?

Jeff

Aug 21, 2013 02:14 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Nick, sometimes buyers end up with an online lender or someone who promises lower rate (and have difficulty closing) - so yes. they can choose the lender but ideally, work with a realtor(r) who can help them introduce to some good lenders.

Aug 21, 2013 02:53 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M
Nick - Having a relationship with the lender can make a big difference in getting things done.
Aug 21, 2013 04:27 PM

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