Pre-Qualifying Buyers Is A Must

I'm always amazed at the agents I work with who show property without really getting to know their buyers.  I live and work in Mesquite Nevada, a resort/retirment community just northeast of Las Vegas, and almost all of my buyers come from out of state.  They are looking for a retirement home or a second home to get away from the cold weather up north.  I "get to know" them over phone conversations, and make sure that before they come to tour our town and houses, they contact either a local lender here, or their own choice of lenders, and get a pre-qualification.  This process ensures that we are looking at homes in the right price range, and that sellers are not inconvenienced by unqualified "buyers" or people who are not at least serious enough to go through the effort of the pre-qual process.  When we find a house and make an offer, we are then off and running!