Champagne Budget - Real or Perceived? Find Out BEFORE You Shop for Homes in Charlotte NC!
This topic has been discussed repeatedly but, it certainly bears further conversation as the issue repeats itself, creating problems for everyone involved.
My mantra is that you must have a pre-approval letter before getting into my car. Granted, I spend more time with sellers these days than with buyers but, my buyers agents spend 100% of their time with buyers so, I’m speaking on their behalf here.
I’m generally a trusting soul--when a potential buyer phones me and is seriously interested in purchasing a home in the near future, my first two questions are:
- Are you working with a real estate agent?
- Have you spoken with a lender and have you been pre-approved?
If the answer to the latter question is yes, I ask them what their pre-approval involved and we discuss the price range of homes that they would like to remain in when they purchase.
Many of the recent prospective buyers have stated that they have these pre-approval letters and are armed and ready to go! Let’s just say their price range is supposedly $300,000. They are then partnered with a buyers agent who matches their area/lifestyle needs and the search is on.
More often than ever before, I’m getting calls from agents that the buyers are not qualified for the amount in the price range in which they are searching. They have been shopping online for homes in the $300,000 range and only qualify for a home in the $200,000 range.
This ‘fatal error’ has not only cost the buyer time but, the agent’s time has been wasted as well. The worst part of the situation is that this buyer has been eyeing several $300K properties and now they are going to have to ‘settle’ for a $200K property--quite a difference in our area. It’s difficult to ever then find a home in the price range for which a buyer truly qualifies when they have been looking at the champagne homes!
So, for your best interests, your smartest move BEFORE shopping (even online) for homes is to consult a lender to obtain a pre-approval. It really doesn’t take that long and can even be done over the phone. Give us a call, we’ve got a great list of lenders to share with you!
This quick, easy and painless process can save you hours and hours of home shopping and can save you from heartbreak when your champagne tastes are truly a beer budget!
And, hey, there’s nothing wrong with being on a beer budget--oftentimes we ALL need to be reeled back in to acknowledge that we’re on one!
Have you been pre-approved for a mortgage loan? Here's a great place to start your home search:
(THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)
Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310
Really? So, your agent is going to make TENS of thousands of dollars on a transaction with you when you do ultimately purchase a home but, you don’t think that he or she should have to actually WORK for it?
Show these 25 properties on a map
Some sellers these days are taking a bit of a hit on their equity. Savvy sellers who are also purchasing realize that they’ll recoup that lost equity when they make a smart purchase on the other side. Many have, as they say, given away the farm because they HAVE to move; others are simply motivated by the low prices and the incredibly low interest rates on their purchase.
“When we Close on this house, we don’t want to ever look back. This is a liability that we’re not willing to assume, just so the buyer can ‘feel like’ they are getting a great deal. Our home is already a GREAT DEAL! Tell them to get their own representation and bring this Offer back to us then...we’ll seriously consider their Offer at that time. I would never even THINK to buy a home without someone to represent my interests.” 
