The Miami Beach Real Estate market keeps changing, it’s a totally different landscape and it’s important for all parties to understand the intricacies and difficulties we run into on a regular basis. There are a lot of unqualified real estate buyers out there (meaning, they don’t have loans approved, don’t have down payments or worse yet, they are pre-approved for amounts much less than the properties they are looking at). If you are a Miami Beach Real Estate Buyer, do not get offended if a listing agent drills you with questions before showing you a property – sellers don’t want to waste their time getting their house ready if you can’t really afford it. Sellers are no longer jumping at the opportunity to show their house to every person that knocks on their door.
So here are some basic tips to keep in mind if you are buying real estate today:
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If you are working with a buyer’s agent, don’t call listings directly to make appointments – have your agent make those appointments.
Realtors will ask the pertinent questions before setting up the appointment to make sure all parties are on the same page.
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If you are not working with a buyer’s agent – it’s ok to say so – but don’t expect to involve an agent after the fact
(you will make negotiating very difficult, if at all)
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If seeing properties with different agents because you are interviewing and want to know how they work – say so to avoid uncomfortable situations
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Don’t assume all sellers are desperate
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Tearing a house apart when viewing it will not give you a negotiating advantage
- once you place an offer it means you liked the property
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Respect other people’s time
- sellers go through a great deal of effort to keep their homes in “tip-top showing condition” – don’t cancel appointments at very last minute, make sure you know area and treat others as you would like to be treated
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Finding the property is a minuscule aspect of buying real estate
- knowing local laws and regulations, real estate law and particulars of a real estate transaction will save you a lot of headaches and money.
I also asked Realtors on Twitter for quick tips for buyers – here’s what I got:
@MCrespillo – Marguerite Crespillo is a Roseville, California Realtor – www.YourHomeSoldFast.com
@ReesesPeanut – Elaine Reese is a Central Ohio Realtor – www.ReesesPiecesOfRealEstate.com
@STRduo – Kari Rothamel is a Charlottesville Realtor – www.StrongTeamRealtors.com
@EricStegemann – Eric Stegemann is a St. Louis, MO Realtor – www.RCREonline.com
Great post! Agents should help keep a watch over the children when they do come on the showing – even when the parents don’t…
Just had a wall freshly ‘decorated’ with crayons. *JoY*
Ines
Excellent insight that can only be gained by experience. Its disheartening to see first time home buyers (and others)violate many of these basic tenets.
As a Realtor in Canada, I couldn’t agree more with your tips…they apply on either side of our border. Wonderful blog you have, BTW.
Jessica – OUCH!!! sometimes I carry the childre, take toys….anything but having something damaged….I would die.
Louis – I think the problem comes from making assumptions that the consumer knows what to do – it takes some effort on our part to educate, no?
Jim – thank you!! I think these tips are universal
@ines
That’s right , buyers hear homes are cheap, so they think that is an excuse to be rude.
You may have a point there – when it’s a seller’s market, buyers are more careful and maybe even more sensitive
Just got a call about muddy shoes… things happen but we must keep a watchful eye…
Charles – I make people take off shoes if it’s raining outside
Of course the issue many of us face, is having the buyer get at least pre-qual’d before planning to seriously view homes (other than open houses). People don’t buy cars without having a good idea as to what they can afford, so they need to do that same process with a home. With the new lending rules, this is really critical.
Great post and thanks.
Thanks for your $.02 Elaine – and in addition to getting buyers pre-qual’d now it’s about sellers requesting it – things have certainly changed
[...] In the meantime, Ines offers the following tips in her article titled Miami Beach Real Estate – tips and etiquette for buyers: [...]
Dear Ines,
If I were in Miami I would kiss you. And I’d mean it.
LOL Valerie!! (do I look forward to the day we meet?)
I can tell that this is not the first time you mention the topic. Why have you chosen it again?
it needs to be said over and over – in case anyone missed it the first time