Special offer
Cindy Davis (SD Home Source Realty)

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Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Cindy -- honesty and reality have to meet.  Just because I want to be taller, handsome and very wealthy doesn't necessarily make it come true.   

Mar 09, 2015 10:07 AM
Rainmaker
2,759,871
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I don't use the term "afford".

I use the term "qualified".

I believe that buyers will understand when they know that they're not qualified to buy a property.

Works for me.

Mar 10, 2015 12:16 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

It is simple - the pre-approval prior to showing tells the whole truth.

Jul 18, 2018 10:03 PM
Rainer
279,878
Dipti Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
On a team with Praful Thakkar

Pre-approval says it all.

Jul 17, 2018 09:04 PM
Rainmaker
533,993
Robert Havana
Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking - Calgary, AB
Alberta Real Estate License Parking

just looking back through some of the old questions and answers, looks like you got some good replies.

Mar 14, 2016 03:58 PM
Rainer
104,074
Mike Belobradic
Johnston & Daniel Oakville - Oakville, ON
Your Trusted Advisor in Oakville Real Estate

The numbers do speak for themselves. I always make it a point to speak with their mortgage broker and ideally if we can all meet then everyone is on the same page. There is no magic, pure numbers.

Mar 10, 2015 07:49 AM
Rainer
75,959
Jillian La Rocque
St Thomas, VI

I have this problem as well ... no one wants to be the bearer of bad news ... except the Grinch! I usually do not use afford ... I use "comfortable". You have it easier because the banks pre-qualify buyers but here on my island they do not provide any paperwork to help agents determine whether a potential buyer can qualify for the home of interest.  Prospects always put the cart before the horse by asking to view properties without even knowing the prevailing mortgage rates!  

 

I try to sit them down and say, "You know what, I would love to go househunting with you but the property search would be so much more fun and easier for you if you sat down with a banker and discuss what monthly mortgage repayment that you are comfortable committing to.  By doing so, you will avoid the disappointment of seeing a home you love that comes with a monthly obligation that will prevent you from affording icecream every week.  :) It also will allow you to not settle for a cheaper property that does not meet all your needs when you could have been able to pay for another home that costs more."

 

People can get so offended when they feel you are telling them they are broke ... even more so when it is true! In essence, instead of saying you cannot afford, I ask, "Would you live comfortably with the monthly mortgage payment for this home?"

Mar 10, 2015 03:05 AM
Rainer
212,500
Kristen Correa, Broker
Kristen Correa Real Estate & Reedy Creek Realty Services - Keller, TX
I love coffee & real estate. I am out of coffee!

Hi Cindy. I like what you said, "I don't want them to give up saving and striving for a home." I think your natural reply is nice. Do you have a follow up schedule or system for the people who bought those mansions? She can be the same. Just check in with her until she qualifies. But me? I use my referral partners, loan officers, etc., to explain it. Also, those on such a tight budget need to be well aware the purchase is not all there is to it... a list of likely expenses after the purchase helps solidify your message of saving for the purchase plus save for the ongoing expense of homeownership.

Mar 10, 2015 01:26 AM
Rainer
69,195
Arlene Fisher Blaker
FitzGerald Financial Group - Owings Mills, MD
Arlene Blaker Doing business the RIGHT way

Simple. Put the numbers down on paper. Information is our best resource. No one ever said real estate was easy. If it was everyone would own a home.

Mar 10, 2015 12:02 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

If they've been pre-approved for a certain amount and can't go higher than the pre-approval amount, it's a matter of reminding them and asking them how they plan to "raise" the extra money.

Mar 09, 2015 09:09 PM
Rainmaker
3,340,443
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Add all the costs....show them what a down payment will do to their payment when they have one...add the estimates of utilities, taxes, maintenance etv. and subtract it from their monthly net....they will reach their own conclusion.

Mar 09, 2015 07:59 PM
Rainmaker
938,537
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Cindy, well good for her that she has $10,000 saved for a downpayment.  Many buyers in our area don't have close to that.  We want a client to visit a lender to see what the individaul is pre-qualified for and go from there.  If the housing is too high for their income we then have to go farther outside the area they want to live in if they are to buy a home that fits their budget.  San Diego is expensive for sure!

Mar 09, 2015 07:53 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Has this buyer been pre approved? Or maybe you are telling us that what she is approved for won't buy her squat in your market? If so try to direct her to another area. Get her in on a property search. 

Mar 09, 2015 03:30 PM
Rainmaker
856,072
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Hello Cindy,  Most of that pressure should be taken off your back by a lender.  Asking your client to get preapproval gives you at least some idea, and them, the price range they should be looking.  Notifying the lender you will be looking for prequalification after an accepted offer will hold them closer to reality.  Mark

Mar 09, 2015 12:57 PM
Rainer
23,743
Eric Valente
Calabasas, CA
Eric

I will not be the person delivering the news. The lender should  be able explain all terms of buyers' choices. If they want to go up, they should find the solution to it. 

Mar 09, 2015 12:06 PM
Ambassador
6,393,494
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Their lender lets them know

Dec 07, 2019 10:08 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I would let the bank or the lender tell them.

May 28, 2018 06:22 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

We let their lender discuss that with them

Jul 10, 2017 05:24 AM