On first contact, on a scale of 1 - 10, I will inquire but their response does not change taking them to see houses that day. They must contact their bank.

However, on appointment #2, progress must have been made. On a scale of 1-10, appointent #2 will be an 8. They will be instructed to call one of the preferred lenders to get approval.  

Appontment 3 will not occur until I hear from a lender on my recommended list.

That is a topic of the first conversation.

I completely agree with and use the same approach that Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 uses and it seems to work well!  :)

Very and I do ask for a copy if the buyer saids they are Pre-approved

I always ask if they contacted a lender yet, who and phone number that I can call them.  If they have not I give them 3 lenders that I work with.

Christina Hayes Absolutely! If they haven't talked to a loan officer, I can recommend one to them.

Speak about it before the first meeting  and ask to bring a copy to the first meeting. We discuss their comfort level and go from there!

We usually get to it in first or second meeting. I don't request anyone forward it to me before meeting with them. Some have talked with a loan officer, but many times they aren't 100% sure they want to use that particular lender. Some will even ask me what I think about the lender they are thinking of using. That is good sign when they initiate discussion about lenders.

It's the very first thing I do when I meet with a 'prospect' client at my office. I want to know if they have any money, how much, how they are paying, and if they are pre-qualified financially so I can determine if they are pre-qualified to work with me.

If they are not financially pre-qualified, that's what we'll work on. And if they are - who the lender is OR documented source of cash.

Very adamant and do have them forward a copy to me - with our thinventory, it's a must - hot houses go FAST and they need to be fully prepared to bid right away.

New clients, must have in my hot little hands, repeat clients that I KNOW can buy, will take out one day, then they need a pre-approval too.

If they are a new client; yes.

Always - they are pretty much required before submitting an offer so best get it done up front.

Besides, you need to know what they are qualified for before showing them something they can't get financed for, don't you?

Pre-quals don't mean anything - you could do one; Pre-approvals from bank are critical, if not at first meeting, soon after.

I'm pretty adamant if they are making an offer.  Prior to that it's up to my judgment about the folks and their circumstances.

In stone.  Pre-qual and Exclusive Buyer Broker Agreement. Period.

It dpends on the prospective buyer and if they were referred to me. I always ask them the question, but I certainly don't cut off communication if they have not yet been through the process.

I agree with Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 It won't stop me from meeting the buyer and showing properties.  I do like to call and speak with the lender before 2nd showings. So far this works. 

If they want to see houses, I want to see evidence they can afford those houses.

A lot of time and heartache can be saved for all parties if everyone is prepared.  If they are not prepared then the first step may be in coaching them toward preparation.  Before looking at the first home.

First topic of conversation..always..every time.

Unless I'm personal friends with them, it is an absolute must before I even schedule an appointment.  I ask for a copy of it too, so I know just how good of a pre-qual it is (if no docs were reviewed it's basically worthless).

I'm 100% not showing any property including my listings to a new client or most of my repeat clients without a pre-approval. Prequals are meaningless in CA. But honestly I rarely deal with that, my clients are trained and they train their referrals to me, for me

EXCEPTIONS:

• a repeat client wants to see a property once in a blue moon, of course I will.

1. A referred client wants to relocate to San Diego and doesn't know the property and is in the process of getting approved (verified) but first wants to see 5 great examples of what to expect in 5 chosen neighborhoods. Well, if I'm going to give them a quick tour of that part od San Diego, we might as well see a few properties. I did that today for a $800K buyer that was referred by a valued and trusted A+ referral agent friend of mine in Palos Verdes. I never question her referrals they are always top notch and typically $750-$1.2 Million dollar buyers. Your gut will tell you when to bend the rules.

They don't have to be pre qualified before I will talk with them and show a few properties. After that first set of showings, they have to have made some progress towards getting pre qualified before I will go any further. 

I show one time and then the application needs to be started to go further.

We talk about how important it is to be pre-approved or pre-qualifed at our first meeting.

I have the lender send them to me

I just had this battle today. I always ask a buyer if they have been pre qualifed, and then by who. When i cant get a clear answer or one that sounds made up, i do ask to see it. 

Others have answered.

We don't demand it the first time we meet or look at houses, but expect it shortly thereafter.

I handle it in person during the first meeting.  Usually, though, these days they volunteer they have been pre approved by so and so, however, if it turns out it's an online pre approval or something, that's a conversation I prefer to have in person.  

In the luxury and commercial market, one does not ask for a pre-approval letter, one usually can figure out who is who.  In commercial real estate for a lease a bank reference was given with the landlord calling the company's bank.  Some iconic companies like Disney did not need to have their bank reference.  In the luxury upper end, a private banker is given as a reference, and if you were to ask for a pre-approval letter, they would hang up on you and not speak to you ever again.  A

Everyone should be very adamant - I talk to borrowers almost every day that want to put offers in on homes they cant afford.  

Yes I'm pretty adamant on that. They get one shot & then if they don't I tell them that sellers won't take them seriously - which they won't.

No pre approval, no buyers rep agreement we don't look at houses.

Pretty much adamant.

I will ask if they have talked to a lender and if so please bring in the prequel to our Buyer consultation.  I don't show houses without one because how they (or I) know for sure what they qualify for in terms or sale price, down payment and payment find comfortable.

when any buyer calls, we close for the appointment.... we may ask a few relevent questions, but the purpose of the call is to close to meet the buyers for a consultation.... there is no point in going through motions if there is a personality clash or you don't have good feelings about the buyer and/or the situation.... one step at a time....it saves time...we ask for a copy of that preapproval to be given at the meeting...

Adamant.  Show it to me before we go. 

Be alert & dilligent here for not all that glitters is gold

Always ask if they have it but will show them the first one to get the foot in the door.

100% adamant.  Yes, If I am showing a home I must have the pre-approval in my hand before investing my time.