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Melissa Polce, Lake to Land, I've Got It Covered! (ERA, Wilkinson Real Estate Charlotte)

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Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

Have you met with a lender?  No, well, once you do, ask them to send me a letter confirming your buying ability and price range and I would be happy to arrange showings for homes withinin that range.  Please understand, I am not a tour guide and can not take time away from ready, willing and able buyers to show homes to buyers who are not committed to the process.  A lender is the first step...here are a few lenders who may be able to help. 

Jan 04, 2016 03:36 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

I tell them I need to check the show instructions first, and also tell them I need to know where they are in the buying process. Working with another agent? do you have to sell first? Are you currently in a lease? Have you already met with and chosen a lender? Ask them why they are calling me? I actually had someone not long ago who kept calling wanting me to show him rentals, but he said he still had 6 months left on his current lease. I told him that the owners were not going to hold the property for 6 months, so there wasn't any sense in me showing it to him. Asking questions can save everyone a lot of time.

Jan 04, 2016 04:32 AM
Ambassador
3,383,334
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I would ask to see their pre-approval letter.  Just had an incident on a listing where a buyer's agent brought a buyer to a listing, trusting they could afford it.  Turns out, they couldn't.  They struggled for ten days figuring out how many relatives they could pull into the loan to buy it, only to lose the home to buyers who came in with solid financing.  I let them know that avoiding heartbreak is what the purpose of having that pre-approval letter is all about.   If a buyer gets offended, well, my guess is they wouldn't have qualified.

 

Jan 04, 2016 04:06 AM
Rainer
42,670
Fred Hafdelin
Weichert Realtors - Mountain Lakes, NJ

I would show them the house but recommend they be pre approved before I show them anymore. 

Jan 04, 2016 03:55 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

I show the house......

UNLESS,

The listing agent has other standards which allows me to say, "Seller is limiting access to those with documented abiltity to buy."

BUT, before delivering THAT message, I will have a Plan B.

Jan 04, 2016 03:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

I aways ask if they are pre-approved, I will not waste my time or theirs.

Jan 04, 2016 11:52 AM
Rainmaker
140,768
Joan Dickie
Keller Williams Premier Realty - La Crosse, WI
Keller Williams Premier Realty

Depending on time and distance, I might take them to see the home to build the relationship.  I respect all those who wouldn't do it though.  We all make our business decisions.

Jan 04, 2016 08:25 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I will meet them in the office but unless I am already at a property I will not go without knowing if they are prequalified. I don't necessarily have to see a letter but I need to have a conversation and know that they have the ability and are not just looking for fun.

Jan 04, 2016 08:11 AM
Rainer
112,947
Vera Gonzalez
RE/MAX Suburban, Inc. - Sterling Heights, MI
Gonzo For Real Estate

Ask the loan type first... This is how I state it ... Are you purchasing the home VA, FHA or conventional or cash , not all homes can be purchased on all types of loans . Some people think you are just out for the bucks!!! This usually diffuses them and lets them know you have their interests at heart. 

Jan 04, 2016 06:12 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Melissa,

I believe we should give everyone the benefit of the doubt.  In our commercial real estate experience, I prequalified over the phone as to what they were willing to pay on lease and term of lease.  One time I met someone at my listing,  which after viewing she did not like.  She asked me about a listing that was very expensive, and when I told her the price, she also revealed the fact that she definitely could afford it.  It turned out she was one of the heirs to the local drugstore chain that had been bought by CVS.  You never know...A

Jan 04, 2016 03:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I try and get a bit more information on them and I tell them I will show them 3 houses without a pre-approval. And more, they need to get pre-approved.

Jan 04, 2016 10:03 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I would show. Sometimes they just do not know the process( hard to believe, right?). Yet, I'd ask them if they have already seen other houses, how long they are looking for a house..... and if they work with another agent. 

Jan 04, 2016 03:53 PM
Rainmaker
2,362,948
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I am willing to meet to show one or two houses - I use it as a qualifying interview-

Jan 04, 2016 01:28 PM
Ambassador
6,393,179
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

"Just to save time for You, The Seller, and myself, we will need to get you prequalified before I can show this one to you"

Jan 04, 2016 11:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Melissa Polce Let's make sure you can qualify for purchasing this property before we take a look. 

Jan 04, 2016 08:15 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I will show them  ;'A' home but I then give them info on loan officers.  They need to tal to one before we go any further

Jan 04, 2016 07:48 AM
Rainmaker
516,437
Brenda J. Andrew
ULTIMA REAL ESTATE - Willis, TX
Professional Realtor in Conroe/Willis, TX

I ask them if they are working with another realtor, and also if they have been prequalified with a lender, of if they will be paying cash.  I try to ask as many questions as possible prior to going out to show them.

Jan 04, 2016 06:04 AM
Rainmaker
687,136
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

I keep the conversation going to where I get a lot of information out of that person. Minimum, I need their full name and where they are calling from. My clients mostly don't need a loan. But that depends on the location they are looking. If it's low-end, I ask a lot more questions about their finances, how they plan to pay for it, etc.

Jan 04, 2016 05:51 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

"What time would you like to see the house?"  I had two of these calls on one of my listings yesterday, while I was holding another house open.  Sent my broker over there.  They weren't ready (still had homes to sell), but picked them up as potential clients for a couple months down the road when they relocate out here.

Jan 04, 2016 05:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I don't work with people that are not previously qualified unless I know them personally or come highly recommended.

Jan 04, 2016 05:20 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I don't give it a second thought ... and I am not concerned about losing an opportunity.  I tell them, we only work with qualified buyers. I'd be happy to show you the home, but first I will need your loan approval letter and proof of funds.  If you have not yet been pre approved I am happy to refer you to a great lender.

By the way ... I make NO EXCEPTIONS to this.  My time is too valuable.

Jan 04, 2016 04:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Are you prepared to buy today? That will entail cash or a pre-approval in hand to get us through the door. Let's start there before any disappointment can occur. 

Jan 04, 2016 04:29 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

I ask if they are pre approved as well as if they are committed to an agent.

If there is a no to both I make the appoinment for the showing and an appointment to meet after to go over a buyer packet and have them call a mortgage broker while we are sitting there.

Jan 04, 2016 04:22 AM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Melissa - I will ask them a few questions, similar to Jeff Pearl, to learn more about them and see how  serious they are. If the home is nearby, and it fits in my schedule, I may show them that one home. After that, they better have a pre-approval.

Jan 05, 2016 07:10 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

It is my policy if they are not pre-qualified we are not going to look at houses. No exceptions so no violation of fair housing laws.

Jan 04, 2016 09:47 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Ask questions about pre-approval. Depending upon the situation, may show the house but no more until they are qualified with one of my lenders. In some situations, pre-approval first!

Jan 04, 2016 09:44 PM
Rainmaker
856,055
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Upfront about it.  They need know what they qualify for so as not to disappoint themselves and sellers.  Mark

Jan 04, 2016 02:06 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

If the home is occupied, I discourage it, until they get pre-qualified for that amount. If it is empty, I may show it and at the same time show them homes in their price range while we're out.

Jan 04, 2016 11:52 AM
Rainer
80,653
Linda Guess
Keller Williams Tri-Lakes Branson, MO - Branson, MO
Branson area real estate sales.

I would show them the home to build a relationship and refer them to a lender to get the prequalification letter before we see more homes.

Jan 04, 2016 11:25 AM
Rainmaker
469,510
Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

Probably not the most helpful answer but for me it depends. It depends on how the rest of the phone conversation went. It depends on whether or not it's my listing. It depends what else is on my plate at the particular time they want to go. And where the property is located factors in. If the phone call over all goes well. They were willing to give me their full name, phone and email. And they don't already have an agent, I would typically go. If I already had appointments and couldn't squeeze it in then I may bring up the pre-approval thing mostly because I can't meet their desired schedule and having them go through the pre-approval process will allow me enough time to get the showing worked in to my schedule.

Jan 04, 2016 07:54 AM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

The responses have been interesting, and have been all over the place. I will just keep watching....

Jan 04, 2016 06:49 AM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I would show the house. I sold a house this way and the buyers weren't pre approved when I met them. I put them in touch with a lender and we closed on a house four months later. They had some minor credit issues to clear up, but they did that and now own a great house. 

These buyers have also been a great source of referrals for me. I have sold family members houses, too. 

Jan 04, 2016 06:30 AM
Rainer
140,560
Richard L. McKinney P.A.
Atlantic Shores Realty Expertise - Port St Lucie, FL
For Results that MOVE you on the Treasure Coast!

I handle calls differently than most agents. Most of the time I do not ask if they are pre-qualified on the initial call. Unless the says something that I just do not like, I always opt to go meet the person and show the home.

Once I am showing the home, I begin to gently ask questions to and gauge interest. This is where I try to qualify them as a buyer and it so convince them to work with me. 

My goal is to sell them A house and the best way to do it is to SHOW them a house. Yes, some are a waste of time. However, my conversion rate is much stronger when I meet the customer. 

Jan 04, 2016 06:22 AM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Melissa,
I’m willing to meet and show a house or two. More often than not I close that lead.

Jan 04, 2016 05:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

The seller asked all viewers if they have been preapproved yet?

Sorry....

Jan 04, 2016 03:29 AM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

We will see the home after I call the mortgage lender

Jan 29, 2017 06:00 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Prequal, Agency Disclosure, Buyer Broker - all to be signed before the showing

Oct 31, 2016 11:16 PM
Rainer
225,526
Bob Betel
Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc. - Sweetwater, TN
President, Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc

I would advise to have them meet you in your office, then  have them fill out an short application and then call your lender for a pre-qual letter. If you have a good lender, they can do this in 10 minutes. Know your customer before you show them a house.

Jan 07, 2016 04:05 AM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

One house, vacant, not a problem! It is like I'm previewing a home. A whole slew, we can wait!

Jan 05, 2016 07:44 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,123
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

If it's my listing -- I ask "when would you like to see it?

Jan 05, 2016 03:14 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Explain how you work with prospects and refer them to a loan officer if they are not yet pre-approved for mortgage financing.

Jan 05, 2016 12:31 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,488
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

In the Denver market, without a pre-approval, you might as well not go see it.  It will go under contract, and you MUST have a lender letter accompany the offer. 

Jan 04, 2016 11:19 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Next ................

Jan 04, 2016 10:44 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good Melissa. You've got several great answers. I would suggest to follow their advice.

Jan 04, 2016 05:19 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Melissa Polce - I do not show the home to any caller. They need to meet me in office first or send me their pre-approval at least. 

The simplest reason is - we need to know each other. How can you trust me with such a huge investment you are planning to do?

Jan 04, 2016 03:43 PM
Rainer
223,831
LUXURYSOCALREALTY COMPASS La Jolla
Compass - La Jolla, CA
San Diego Partner - The Private Client Network

Melissa Polce each situation is different I have had multiple buyers get denied for financing and parents end up paying all cash.  The price point I work with buyers in makes it worth my time to try.

Jan 04, 2016 03:16 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,291
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

You have to bring your prequal letter with you.

Jan 04, 2016 07:41 AM