We hate buyers. There, I said it. Well OK we really don't 'hate' buyers. But I believe that all real estate professionals do wish that there were rules that buyers had to abide by.

Rule number 1, be honest. Are you wanting to buy now or some mythical time down the road. We really don't mind if you are just looking. We would be happy to give you some tools so that you can look on your own until you are ready to buy. But please tells us this so we don't break our backs finding you the perfect home only to find out then that you are not really ready for the next step. We will gladly help you plan (and you do need a plan) for your purchase. This is what we are here for.

Rule number 2, can you get a loan? Most buyers have not even determined if they can get a loan. Don't be afraid of this step of the process. Telling your real estate agent that a loan shouldn't be a problem when you really don't know is actually a big problem. Many deals fail because buyers can't get a loan. I say that getting a prequalification letter should be necessary for every real buyer. We have many resources to get you prequalified. Don't worry that your finances are possibly in bad shape. Chances are that ours are about the same or worse. We see this all the time and can advise you in making a plan.

Rule number 3, know your wants and needs. Nothing is worse than a buyer that really doesn't know what they are looking to buy. Use our online searches to find out what kind of homes are available in the area and pick out the features that you NEED. Then contact us and we will help you narrow down the search with those extra things that you WANT. As real estate agents we love to do a lot of work only to find out that you left out a major NEED (I NEED to be close to this school), NOT. Once again, proper planning will eliminated a lot of wasted time (both yours and ours). This is a major purchase so the word 'planning' is not a curse word.

Rule number 4, be prepared to come look at property now. The worst thing you can do is have us help you find the right property on paper and then wait before you can come see it in person. Homes are bought and homes go off the market. More homes come onto the market. Mortgage rates change. Husbands decide to buy a big screen TV. Wifes want new dining room furniture. The point is that conditions and property availability changes. Two months down the road, we (real estate agents), have to redo all the work we did for you in the first place.

I know what you're thinking. Real estate agents don't really do a lot of work and are overpaid. I wish that were true. If it was this article would never have been written. We do a lot of redundant work for our clients only to find out that many of them are not actually buying something right now. We take up a lot of time showing property to people who aren't ready to buy. We fight loan officers and mortgage companies over loans they can't do. We take on appraisers that we believe are not being fair. We schedule repairs (and sometimes make them ourselves). We do a lot of 'behind the scenes' stuff that allow for a smooth closing. We take care of a lot of problems before they become problems so that the buyers stay all warm and fuzzy. Bottom line: Call us so that we can set up a plan. Do that and we will love you and you will love us. I think I'll go sing the Barney song.

A Really Bad Plan



Link to another really bad plan