HEY MISTER! SHOW ME SOMETHING![1]© 2014 By Wayne D. Lewis, Sr.

5 Questions Buyers Maybe Asked

 When Calling a Real Estate Agent

By Wayne D. Lewis, Sr.

 

As the home buying season gets ready to kick into full gear, agents are waiting to hear from buyers.  Whether the buyers are standing in front of homes with FOR SALE signs, or from the various real estate websites on their laptops, tablets or cell phones, buyers are going to call their local real estate offices and agents.  Their main objective:  “Come show me this house!”  For agents on the other end, nothing would be more welcoming than to receive such a call, and then rush out to meet a perspective buyer at the home of the potential buyer’s choice.  Only…….

This approach to buying a home has many drawbacks, both for buyers and agents, and while it would be exciting for each agent to run out and meet a perspective buyer at a home that maybe the purchaser’s desired home, it would be important for a real estate professional to take important steps to help the buyer to choose a home that is right for them.

Even after the showing, buyers may find that the house needs more work than they intend to do, or that the price of the house is way more than they expected to pay for the small bedrooms, or the galley-size kitchen.  So, for the real estate agent, it may help both the buyer, as well as the seller, if a few questions were asked (by the agent), and answered (by the buyer).  The intent is to save time and frustration that may ultimately discourage the buyer right off the bat if they are either a first-time home buyer or, are looking at their next home to move up to, move down to or, are relocating to a new area.

Below, are just five important questions that buyers and agents should be able to discuss before meeting for the first time at a home that is FOR SALE.  These questions are not designed to discourage the buyer from seeing, nor the agent from showing the property.  But, these questions are in an effort for both buyer and agent to have a reasonable idea of what the buyer’s expectations are, and how the agent can help the buyer achieve his or her goal.  Here are five basic questions with a few sub-questions that may need to be asked in order for the agent to be well informed about the direction the buyer is intending to go in the home buying process (Questions are in no set order):

1. How long have you been looking at homes?
    
2. What are you hoping to see as you look at this home? For example:
   1. Is it important to you that the master bedroom is only 11’ X 10’?
   2. Are you aware this home only has 1 bathroom?
   3. Does it matter to you that the property is occupied?
       
3. Are you looking at other homes in this neighborhood?
   1. How does this home compare to other homes you have looked at before
   2. How did you preview the other homes?
   3. What do you like about this neighborhood/home?
       
4. How did you come across this home?
   1. Did you find it driving by?
   2. Did you find it using the internet?
   3. Are you working with an agent?
       
5. I may need to give the seller 24 hour notice before showing their home, can you give me another time option for tomorrow, if necessary?
   1. What is your name?
   2. What is your contact number if I need to call you back if something changes?
   3. Do I have permission to bring information on other properties in the area?
   4. Will you be needing any information on financing, or have your secured financing already?
       
      Now, if we count, there are actually 18 questions here.  But note how the additional questions are related to the prime question.  These questions are necessary not only to the agent, but to the buyer, as well as to the seller’s agent, and the seller.   The seller’s agent and seller need to be aware of who is being shown their home?  They need to know how often the house is being shown, or how often someone calls in on their home.  The agent needs to have an idea of the buyer’s determination, and readiness to buy a home.  The process of buying a home is strongly related to selling a home, and there are many aspects to the process that requires not only that questions be asked, but what questions are also answered. 
       
      Additionally, the questions that a real estate agent may ask, helps them sell themselves as a professional.  Granted, many of these questions could be asked at the house when the buyer and agent meet, asking some of the questions before hand, also helps set the stage for how the real estate professional acquires information, and how that information is processed well enough between the initial call and the initial showing.  As a buyer, you may want your real estate professional prepared and informed when they meet with you, even if on a drive by showing that started with just a FOR SALE sign in the front yard.
       
      The questions above are just a snapshot of the types of questions that your real estate professional may ask.  Your questions, and answers, may vary.  But as a buyer, you should be prepared to answer any number of questions leading up to, and including, showing a given home for the first time.  As always, regardless of which home you choose, be sure to Make Your Best Offer![2]
       

SPEAKER: If interested in having Wayne Lewis speak before your community group, please email him at waynelewissoldit@gmail.com

 

DISCLAIMER: ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED IS DEEMED TO BE FROM RELIABLE SOURCES, BUT NOT GUARANTEED.  NOT AN INTENT TO SOLICIT THE AGENTS, CUSTOMERS OR BUSINESS OF ANY OTHER AGENT OR BROKER. NO INFORMATION PROVIDED THROUGH ANY OF THE POSTS ON THIS BLOG SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS LEGAL OR FINANCIAL ADVICE.  PLEASE CONSULT YOUR ATTORNEY, FINANCIAL ADVISOR OR RELATED PROFESSIONAL REGARDING INFORMATION PERTAINING TO YOUR CASE.

 

 

 

---

[1] The title of this post is taken from the famous phrase: “Hey Mister, throw me something!”  Many of us know this phrase all too well, as it comes from the throngs of parade goers at Mardi Gras here in New Orleans.   While the title is “Hey Mister, Show Me Something,” this in no way seeks to diminish or discriminate against our female real estate professionals throughout the real estate industry.

 

[2] Make Your Best Offer! ©2014 by Wayne D. Lewis, Sr.