they're payin cash
they just don't want to tell you yet

anyways

good luck

Tue Apr 1 2008, 08:51

1st time buyers are usually afraid of giving up their information and most of them think they cannot buy a home when they actually can. 1st time buyers will tell you when they're ready, you can't really push them. all you can do is educate them and show the advantages of home ownership.

Tue Apr 1 2008, 07:32

Because they either aren't serious or they DON'T have good credit.

Tue Apr 1 2008, 07:28

Hi Jimmy,

Great question.

You know the prospect of making perhaps the largest purchase of your lifetime is quite intimidating for buyers. It's taking that first step ahead to make that huge commitment, that people are scared of.

I think that often times, first time home buyers are just so overwhelmed by the thought of going through the buying process, as well as the thought of the long term commitment ahead of them, that they just temporarily "freeze" by the thought of it all.

That's where our job comes in. We must educate them to the process and help them get past many of their own obstacles. Find out what their reservations are, then you can help them work through it.

Remember, experienced homeowners have been through it all before, and they know what to expect.

First time buyers must take baby steps first, before they learn to walk!. I think getting pre approved is like bungee jumping - that first step is off a cliff, and once they take it, in their minds, there's no turning back! It's scary!

There's nothing more rewarding than seeing that first time home buyer a month after they have moved into their new home!

Best wishes to you,

Sandy Shores, Realtor
M & M Real Estate, Inc
Residential, Investment & Relocation
Brevard County
Florida's Space Coast

Tue Apr 1 2008, 05:56

First time home buyers need to be educated about what the steps are and how you work for them. When I was a first time home buyer (and no real estate experience a the time) I browsed for a long time. I thought if I saw something I just 'had to have' I would 'then' find a loan officer. I didn't want to get locked into a timeline to find a home and the whole process was a mystery to me. It took two years of looking before I took the plunge.

Now that I know better I can size up where buyers are in the process. I will spend time with browsers to give them market data and explain the process. However, I make it clear that I am not a tour guide. I will not show homes unless they are ready to speak with a loan officer and are serious about purchasing. Emaling listing information and informing them of market developments is as far as I go.

Tue Apr 1 2008, 04:53

Maybe they can't qualify for a loan? Maybe they are cash buyers? Maybe they are searching for a family member, who will be the purchaser? If you ask enough questions, you will get the answer. Let the buyers know that it will add additional time to the negotiation if they are not pre approved, or approved.

Queen City Gal

Tue Apr 1 2008, 04:48

Jimmy,
Most of the time it is one of two things I find that they are either; not really committed to finding a home but what I classify as a "Browser" they aren't really serious. Then you have the ones that are skeptical about their credit and are scared of having someone pull their credit.

Larry Story
Coldwell Banker Triad

Tue Apr 1 2008, 04:29