What Your Realtor May Not Tell You

When buying a home, a good Realtor is a valuable resource, especially if it’s your first time. They can guide you through the neighborhood and the home buying process, which can get complicated. They know mortgage brokers, inspectors and sometimes even listings that the rest of the public does not.

Many people like to consider themselves armchair experts when it comes to real estate, but the business is a nuanced one, best navigated by a professional. Here is something that most Realtors are too polite to tell you.

Qualified clients are the Realtor's priority.  If you have been pre-approved for a mortgage, know how much you can put down, understand and accept how much you will have to pay for a mortgage, then most Realtors will be happy to spend time finding you the perfect home.

If you are just testing the waters, still saving for a down payment or can't qualify at the present time, it's best to go to open houses as opposed to a private outing with an agent.  Open houses are designed to let people look and ask questions without wasting a Realtor's time. Along the way, you may find a broker you want to work with who can get into specifics for your budget and needs, when you’re ready to pull the trigger.

Generally, agents will ask you upfront if you’ve been pre-approved for a loan.  If you haven’t, they may ask you to call back when you have all your paperwork in order. This is because for a Realtor, time is money. At the end of the day, everyone hopes to be paid for a job well done.

If you are just getting started, a good Realtor will provide you with clear direction on how to begin the process and willl continue to be available to answer questions along the way.

Nancy Puder is a Realtor Broker in Arroyo Grande, CA with Nancy Puder & Associates. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your own property, contact Nancy at (805)710-2415 or email nancy@nancypuder.com.  Nancy always enjoys hearing from you!  Go to Facebook.com/Nancy Puder Realtor and "like" her page to access other real estate related articles. 

She always enjoys hearing from you!