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Will You Show Homes to Buyers Who Are Not Ready to Buy?

By Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Real Estate Agent with Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker DRE #00697006

December 16, 2015 02:55 AM

I am very grateful to Hella Rothwell for sticking with me to buy a home in Hawaii. As I mentioned to her a few days ago, she took a long shot with me. I mean, granted, she was in Oahu anyway visiting her family but she still hopped a plane, rented a car and took time out of her schedule to show me homes in Big Island when I did not present any qualifying factors.

For example, I had no preapproval letter. It didn't even cross my mind, if you can believe that. And when it did, I simply said if I find a home to buy, I will get the letter. I did not want the hassle of filling out a loan application, having my credit pulled, all of that in case it was in vain because maybe I found nothing to buy. (You can see how my attitude shifts when I am NOT the agent, LOL.) I also was not really "planning" to buy a home in Hawaii, but I would not turn down the opportunity if the right one presented itself. Oh, and did I mention my husband absolutely did NOT want to buy a home in Hawaii and reminded me of this daily once I told him I would look at homes.

My idea was Hella could show me homes and I could get a feel for neighborhoods and pricing, so that when I am ready to buy, I would of course call Hella to write an offer. I shared these facts with her and made no commitment to buy a home; yet, Hella jumped in and enthusiastically toured homes with me anyway. You know what happened, of course; my husband and I bought a house in Hawaii. You can read more in my personal blog today at this link: Holiday Etiquette to Buy a Home in Sacramento.

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Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Elizabeth, I do show homes to prospective buyers when they are still very prospective. And most of them turn into closed clients soon after that.

Dec 16, 2015 05:51 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

You are so right. A great agent will have coverage when they are on vacation.

Dec 16, 2015 10:40 AM

Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner

Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA

Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

That's so exciting. And yes, I will do the same thing. You never know when the right place will hit, and I want to be there.

Dec 16, 2015 11:30 AM

Hella Mitschke Rothwell

(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI

Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

My side, Elizabeth? There were tip-offs that you were a serious buyer as far as I was concerned, your husband not withstanding. You had gone to the Big Island repeatedly, you stayed for fairly long periods at a time. You also had settled on the Big Island for these sojourns after having tried others before. Where other agents might need the pre-qual letter, we all know that they can be gotten in no time with good credit and you are a successful business woman, etc. etc. You also called me several months ago and we went over some homes that you liked in your price range. Hate to say it, but I felt you were ripe to buy! And, after a bit of looking, we narrowed it down to a neighborhood (near town) and some precise criteria: "dirt" but not too much, and a fabulous ocean view but not on the ocean. Bingo!

Dec 16, 2015 04:32 PM

In the end, I really wanted to hang out with you on the Big Island. That you then really did find your home that your husband agreed to (and YOU made that happen), was a big bonus.

Dec 17, 2015 03:51 AM

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

But most agents would not work with a buyer like me, Hella, which is sorta my point. Plus, my husband was NOT on board. That could have blown up everything. It was still a long shot with me.

Dec 17, 2015 03:48 AM

Joe Petrowsky

Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT

Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Elizabeth. It was a wise move on Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor® part to show you real estate without an approval, as you would have done for her.

Dec 16, 2015 07:14 PM

James Dray

Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Good morning Elizabeth. Some of my biggest sales have come from people just wanting to look. Never have turned down the request.

Dec 16, 2015 07:30 PM

Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA

Put 40 years of experience to work for you

All in all, whether I bought a home or not, Hella and I had a total blast in Hawaii. Every day was a new adventure. Aloha!

Dec 17, 2015 04:01 AM

Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807

HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ

Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Elizabeth - I have shown homes to people I already know personally without having a preapproval letter. However, it would be more difficult to take the time and effort to show homes to a perfect stranger without some sort of guarantee that they could; 1) afford the homes we were looking at, 2) that they were serious buyers, and 3) that they were willing to work with me exclusively.

Can you tell that I have been burned before.

Dec 17, 2015 04:17 PM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Congrats on the Hawaii home purchase. How fortunate you got to work with Hella...and had the opportunity to hang out, too! Keep us posted on your progress!

I work with a lot of relocations, often not immediate, so yes I do show homes in those cases but generally know enough to not be too concerned about financials. But there is always a possibility they may not relocate for some time, sometimes 2 - 3 years

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Jeff

Dec 17, 2015 11:34 PM

Will You Show Homes to Buyers Who Are Not Ready to Buy?

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