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Rainer
140,615
Keith Whited
RE/MAX Gateway - Alexandria, VA

I prefer to see a pre-approval before I spend much time with a client.

Jul 14, 2015 03:37 AM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

No, because I first want to get to know them and what they want to accomplish, and what they want to buy and make sure we want to work together. pre approvals and pre-qual are only as strong as the effort the loan officer has put into them. They both have contingencies.

Jul 14, 2015 07:46 AM
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

Yes, for those that are financing.

Jul 14, 2015 03:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Jennifer Provencio Pre-approval is a must!

Jul 14, 2015 02:57 AM
Rainmaker
400,356
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

I'm on board with those who know a pre-qual is worthless.  An actual pre-approval is what gets me to show properties to prospective buyers.  There are rare exceptions to this rule.

Jul 14, 2015 01:59 AM
Rainmaker
212,755
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

I try to have them get a pre-approval, let them know that if they find the perfect house etc today they would be a lot more ready to make an offer, they would know exactly what they can afford etc. Usually a serious buyer has no problem with it.

Jul 14, 2015 01:45 AM
Rainmaker
3,340,443
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

YES ! YES ! YES !  If a buyer goes to "the top of the mountain" which is a house they canNOT afford...everything they CAN afford is going to be not as nice....why set them up for failure ?

Jul 14, 2015 05:22 AM
Rainmaker
687,136
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

Pre-qual letters at least show good faith that they actually are planning to buy. Often, I have prospective buyers contact me but they won't take that step--in which case I cut them lose, unless they plan to pay with cash. Although I don't ask for proof of funds at that point, I do ask where they will get it. I also do some side checking, do they own a home now, what kind of loan do they have on it, look for equity. If they own a business. Where they work. Yes, I do this to protect myself. There are too many people "just starting to look". That's not good enough. They need to have a plan and then I can help. 

Jul 14, 2015 05:12 AM
Rainmaker
969,888
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

What ever the weight or thoughts on Pre-approval or Pre-qualify, I will not spend time with some one who does not take this process serious. I will not show property and take the chance the customer may be able to purchase.

Jul 14, 2015 05:11 AM
Rainmaker
175,614
Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

Yes.  Here in Tucson, AZ pre-qual is written into the 10 page purchase contract (page 2). If it is a cash deal, I do not require proof of funds, but write it in that buyer to provide it within 48 hours to seller.   Getting pre-approved is for the buyer too, what is the best rate?  How much do they qualify for?  How much money down should they expect?  Loan terms?  etc, all things they should know.  I explain it like this to them:  IF we are gong to take a long road trip together, we have to make sure we have gas in the truck.   It is a must have, or I dont take them out.

Jul 14, 2015 03:47 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Yes so we are not looking at the wrong priced homes.

Jul 14, 2015 02:53 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

No, I will meet buyers and go out with them once, then work with them to get pre-approed.

Jul 14, 2015 02:02 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Pre-Qualified. No, These are worthless.

Pre-Approved must be what you are referring to in your question.

No. I do not require pre-approval before showing IF the buyer is a referral from my SOI. 

If the buyer is from an unknown, non-vetted source. you bet I will make arrangements to see a Pre-Approval. I will swivel the chair in my office to the right and say, "This is Fred with Movement Mortgage, and he will get you pre-approved right now. I'll step out and get us all some beverages."

Jul 14, 2015 01:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Not always, but it depends on who reccommended them.  If they had a good reccomendation from a past client, I may show them a listing and ask them for a pre-approval during that showing.

Jul 14, 2015 11:32 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Jennifer Provencio - usually, no. I work by referral and have pretty good idea about the buyers I start working with.

However, the first thing I want them to do is - get pre-approval.

Jul 14, 2015 09:15 AM
Rainer
2,680
Stacey Wright
Realty One Advantage - Carmel, IN
Real Estate Broker specializing in Carmel

9 times out of 10 I do require them to get pre-appoved before we look at any homes.  I don't want to waste my time, or their time for that matter.  Sometimes a buyer is adamant about not wanting to go through that process unless they see a few homes first.  If they seem like a great potential buyer I will agree to showing a few homes.  But after that I push them to get the pre-approval.

Jul 14, 2015 09:08 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Yes I do unless they are one of my sellers that is buying and I am privy to most of their financial situation.

Jul 14, 2015 09:04 AM
Rainmaker
165,871
Rhonda Burgess
Southern Living Realty Partners - Smyrna, TN
Moving to Nashville TN Real Estate Specialist

I will take them out one time without a pre-approval to see if we want to work with each other.  

Jul 14, 2015 08:37 AM
Rainer
67,369
Evelyn M Epperson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Johns Creek, GA
A Tradition Of [Excellence, Trust & Service]

Absolutely!  I do not want to waste a drop of gas until I have a Pre-qual letter.

Jul 14, 2015 08:29 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I pre-fer but if I am not real busy I will take a chance with showing one time.   If they are serious...they will be at the bank the next day and I know I have good buyers,.

Jul 14, 2015 08:28 AM
Rainmaker
1,209,215
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Yes.  

Jul 14, 2015 06:54 AM
Ambassador
1,452,769
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

The majority of my Buyers pay cash so it doesn't come into it.

Jul 14, 2015 02:44 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,407
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I refer them to a loan officer during the initial call. I go over their figures myself to confirm that they can qualify for the property of interest.

Jul 14, 2015 02:36 AM
Rainer
231,224
Mike Rock
Complete Design - Granite Bay, CA
Granite Bay Luxury New Construction...For Less

pre qual letter? or an actual approval...?

Jul 14, 2015 02:20 AM
Rainmaker
699,277
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

We do not because pre qual letters are not worth the paper they are printed on.  They are the information a buyer tells a banker without any further documentation.  Fairy tales.

Jul 14, 2015 01:36 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

We have the conversation at first meeting. If there is no pre-approval and buyers don't get one right away, to me it means they are not very serious or that there may be credit issues.

Jul 14, 2015 11:56 AM
Rainer
150,719
Ed Macias
Real Estate Teammates - Miami, FL
Miami FL-REO Property Management Multifamily

Yes don't waste your time

Jul 14, 2015 11:16 AM
Rainmaker
1,085,110
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

No, I don't. The clientele I attract is qualified 98% of the time. 

Jul 14, 2015 10:37 AM
Rainer
392,768
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

I always try to get a bank letter prior to showing any property, regardless of the listing prize.

Jul 14, 2015 09:55 AM
Rainer
2,510
Debbie Andrews
Debbie Andrews & Co Realty - New Lenox, IL
Debbie Andrews & Co Realty

Absolutely!

Jul 17, 2015 02:10 AM
Rainer
2,760
Michelle Haggstrom
Keller Williams - Leominster, MA
Realtor Connecting Buyers & Sellers in Central MA

Typically yes, but there are exceptions under special circumstances.  With safety a top priority, pre-approval is another safety measure.

Jul 16, 2015 12:39 PM
Rainer
215,585
Marla Yost
The Yost Team- Keller Williams Realty - Arlington, TX
The Yost Team

I will usually go out with them once just so I can get to know them a little better and see what they want to accomplish.

See if we are a good fit.

Also to let them know what all is involved in submiiting and offer and all the way to the closing table.

Jul 15, 2015 06:49 AM
Rainmaker
466,695
Katina Hargrove 352-551-0308
Stake Your Land Realty, Inc. - Eustis, FL
Broker/Owner, SFR®, e-PRO®, GRI, AHWD, REALTOR®

Good morning Jennifer,

Yes, always, I have them email me the pre-approval letter. Then I speak with the loan officer to make sure my buyers can buy the home of their dreams and the type of financing. It give everyone a better idea of the price point they can afford. Saves time for everyone. Cash buyers can send proof of funds unless I know them well. If none of the criteria is not met, none goes anywhere.

Jul 14, 2015 10:17 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

In most cases yes, but there are those you have total confidence in. It is important to discuss upfront what there financial situation is before making that decision.

Jul 14, 2015 10:11 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Depends on the client. If it's someone I know or a past client, I will start working with them before they get a full pre-approval. If it's a complete stranger, I might show a couple of houses on the condition that they get an approval prior to the next "trip out."

Jul 14, 2015 09:28 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Yes.  Pre approval and a buyers rep are a must.

Jul 14, 2015 09:22 PM
Rainmaker
323,664
Fred Cope
Reliant Realty in Nashville, TN - Nashville, TN
Looking For Homes With A Smile

Jennifer, In principle I am with you.  While originating loans, the heart of my presentation to REALTORS® was: 

1. Get the prospect to me ASAP  [I provided a one page pre-app that I asked the agent to oversee buyers filling out, so she knew I had a skelton application].

2. On the back was a list of required documents to bring to application.

3. I advocated "Do not put them in your car before you put them in my office."  [IF they were not ready to buy, I called the agent immediately].

 

Now, allow me to throw you a curve ball.  Yes, Pre-approval is what you want before taking a house off the market; but a true approval must come from an underwriter or an officer of the corporation, and that takes time.  Please note the first few words of this next sentence.  REAL LOAN OFFICERS [experienced] KNOW A BANKABLE BUYER WHEN THEY TAKE THE APPLICATION. They understand the basic elements of loan approval: credit, income, job stability, funds to close, residual income, and debt ratios.  They know what documentation they must review BEFORE they tell you the buyer will be able to secure financing.  Quickly, they recognize sufficient assets to pay-off a debt that bring ratios in line; and they understand "compensating factors."  Finally, the MLO knows the key to keeping your business is keeping your trust.  Were I still originating loans, and determined to to keep you happy, I would make sure you had the facts and my best assessment of the prospect.  THEN YOU DECIDE WHETHER TO SHOW THEM HOUSES.  I venture that seasoned REALTORS® with whom I worked did not wait on the underwriter to sign off before writing offers.  I am certain there were times when they should have waited, but if they were baseball players--they would be enshrined at Cooperstown.

Let me use Joe Petrosky to make my point.  Were we in the same market, I would call him and email the basic app info, along with paystubs, et al, ask him to call Mr. Prospect, run the numbers and pull credit, and let me know how it looks.  From there I will decide my plan of action.  Other factors weigh in on my decision that have nothing to do with Mr. Prospect.

Jul 14, 2015 02:10 PM
Rainer
580
Maria Elena Hidalgo
HOME PROS REAL ESTATE GROUP - El Paso, TX

No, of they are willing to meet me at my office and discuss what their expectations are.

Jul 14, 2015 11:42 AM