Have you ever called in to view a property, only to get frustrated because the agent on the line wanted to schedule a time to go over what they called a ‘buyer consultation’ or a ‘buyer interview?’ If an agent has said this to you, that means they are experienced, knowledgeable, and know what they’re doing. An agent who is willing to show a property without knowing or pre-qualifying a buyer is what we call a ‘pop-tart agent.’ Most of the time, these are new licensees or generally inexperienced.
Besides letting you know immediately that you’re working with a professional, a buyer consultation is an opportunity for you to tell your agent what you’re looking for, why you like particular homes, and whether you’re working with another agent. These are all important things to communicate to the agent. If you’re looking for someone to help you buy a house and negotiate the contract on your behalf, a buyer consultation is the way to go.
“Agents who don’t ask for buyer consultations are generally inexperienced.”
In my buyer consultations, I go through not only the things I mentioned above but also your history as a buyer and the purchasing process in general so that you know what to expect. Here in Iowa, we have abstracts that add another dimension to the process and help you find what you’re looking for. That way, we can also dig deep into our database to see if we know of a homeowner who has been thinking about selling and give you options beyond the homes that are already for sale.
Though you might feel that scheduling a buyer consultation is slowing down the process, in the end, do you want an agent who only calls when there’s a property available, or do you want someone who communicates with you daily or weekly? Buyer consultations are a great time to set expectations so that we can manage the process based on your needs and experience.
If you’d like to meet with an agent here in Northwest Iowa to help you with your next real estate transaction or if you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call, send an email, or visit our website at www.ThinkHousesThinkHolly.com. We’d be happy to help.
