An exchange between a Realtor and potential buyer.

**Chrisopher Moltisanti** · 07-17-2010, 09:51 AM

The exchange happened to me about two hours ago, via email. How dare I ask anyone to prove their claim. What would you have said? I was two seconds away from getting sarcastic but that wouldn't have painted my broker in the best light, so I held back, and bit my tongue......once again....

Alleged buyer: "Can you show me this listing tomorrow (today) morning perferrably early?
MLS # xx-xxxx"?

Chris: Ma'am,

I can show you this, once I verify you are financially qualified.
We (as most agencies do) have contractual agreements with our sellers
to bring financially qualified people to the table.

You can FAX me either a Proof of Funds letter from your bank
or a Pre-approval letter from a lender. Be sure that if you send me
the Pre-approval letter, it shows the amount they are willing to lend
and how long the offer is good for.

Thank you,

Alleged buyer: "Dear Chris,

I am well aware of being pre-approved by a lender. I do own 2 homes already.

Thanks,

Chris: Ma'am,

Very simply stated, a buyer could own many homes and earn a very good living
and have great credit and have no civil judgments against them at all.
Realtors nor the sellers can take someone's word for it.

The Proof of funds letter or Pre-approval letter will prove their financial qualifications.

-Chris

Alleged buyer: Absolutly................Now going with Weichert.

Thanks,

Chris: And they'll ask you for the same documents.

Every friggin day. I'm only a year into this and I'm already burnt out...

CM

**markbrian** · 07-18-2010, 07:21 AM

I understand your feelings completely. Gas is not cheap, your time is not free. But on the other hand, it is hard to ask for proof that the person is truly capable of buying a particular property without sounding rude or nosy.

I think explaining that you must have not just a POF or pre approval to ensure that your client's homes are only shown to qualified buyers due to security concerns should be understandable for most reasonable people. There is a reason many agents feel the need to carry a concealed weapon.

How to have this dialogue and not offend some people can get tricky.

**minnesota-mls** · 07-18-2010, 09:54 AM

Thanks for your posts.

This is a very tough situation and I completely understand the frustration here.

Our real estate team here in Minnesota is very big on showing once, maybe twice to a buyer to build rapport.

Get to know the client, find out more about him or her. At that time once some rapport has been built, then dive into the money side of the house.

We always joke that real estate is a "contact" sport. The leads and business that may come from this one meeting one never knows!

Again, don't want anyoneto waste their time on showing homes multiple times. But when it is a request like this, we do show the property.

Just my two cents....thanks for your post here.

**TeamAguilar** · 07-18-2010, 12:07 PM

Hi,

I can totally understand your situation and the frustration to go with it.
We are professionals and have to adjust with it,you could have casually asked them few more questions regarding income,what kind of houses they own;this might have given you the idea of whether they are a capable or not.Whatever without a proof a lead won't be accepted but still we got to show more patience,sometime you might get lucky

Cheer up this kind of experience is essential for us to stay on track