(304) 367-0543 SIGN UP / LOGIN ≡ STEP 1 – PRE-APPROVAL Getting Off On The Right Foot When you call us to show you a listing, our first question is, “Are you working with a Realtor®?” It’s a matter of Ethics: If Suzie-Q Realtor® is working hard for you, showing you homes and sending you listings, we’re not going to go behind her back and swoop in for a sale, leaving her out in the cold. We’ll be happy to answer your questions, but as an Accredited Buyers Agent, we’re dedicated to buyers who are dedicated to us and we will refer you back to Suzie-Q for your showing and representation. The second question, though it can off-put inexperienced buyers, is crucial: “Are you pre-approved for a loan?” Obtaining your financing is the first step in searching for a home. Whether it’s a modest $50,000 home, or a luxury $500,000 property, most people use a loan to buy a home, and they have to qualify with a lender in order to obtain it. Being pre-approved greatly benefits both the buyer and seller. GET PRE-APPROVED Sellers are more comfortable with pre-approved buyers. They don’t want to waste time getting ready for a “tire-kicker” to view their home. And making the effort to get pre-approved makes sellers more comfortable with having a stranger in their home, often when they are not present. As a pre-qualified buyer, any seller or Realtor® is going to take you seriously. An offer on a home from a pre-approved buyer will always outweigh an offer from a buyer who is not. Pre-approved buyers can negotiate for a better price and terms than unapproved buyers. And you won’t run the very real risk of finding the perfect home only to find out you cannot afford it. We worked with buyers once who had “pre-approved themselves” online with some app. We found them the truly perfect home, on which they made an offer which was accepted, but then they couldn’t get financed. Because they hadn’t actually talked with a lender, they didn’t know overtime pay couldn’t be included as income when qualifying for a loan. The young couple was devastated, the sellers inconvenienced and disappointed, and we spent a substantial amount of time and money only to have it come to nothing. Buyers sometimes complain a Realtor® wouldn’t return their calls or didn’t want to show them houses. When asked whether they’re pre-approved the answer is almost always, “Well, no, we’re still just looking around, seeing what we like, and thinking about it.” Folks, Suzie-Q Realtor® takes her job seriously. It’s not a hobby; it’s how she feeds the kids, pays her Realtor® dues, makes her mortgage, and buys auto insurance and gas so she can show you properties. If you aren’t serious about buying a home, she can’t afford to be serious about showing you one. Getting pre-approved is fast and easy. It can usually be done over the phone, and takes about 30 minutes. That’s far less time than it takes the sellers to run around vacuuming, picking up the kids’ toys, getting rid of the dishes in the sink, and expectantly getting ready for you to view their home; or for your Realtor® to prepare for the showing, pick you up and drive you to it. If you’re serious about buying, we’re serious about helping you. If you’re not already pre-qualified, we can help you take that first crucial step toward owning your own home. We can answer your questions and make some good suggestions for lenders so that, if the very first house you see is “the one,” you’ll be ready to buy it! Making sure you’re pre-approved is just one of the many services Picket Fences Realty offer our buyers and sellers. Fairmont Office 309 Cleveland Ave Ste 508 Fairmont, WV 26554 Phone: (304) 367-0543 Bridgeport Office 400 Johnson Ave Ste 1G Bridgeport, WV 26330 Phone: (304) 367-0543 SEARCH OUR LISTINGS RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL MULTI-FAMILY MAP SEARCH MORGANTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS BRIDGEPORT NEIGHBORHOODS CLARKSBURG NEIGHBORHOODS FAIRMONT NEIGHBORHOODS BUYER TOOLS STEP 1 - PRE-APPROVAL GET PRE-APPROVED NOW OUR SERVICES WHY USE A BUYER'S AGENT TIPS FOR BUYERS YOUR CREDIT SCORE AND HOW IT WORKS FINANCING OPTIONS FOR YOUR NEW HOME DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE ADVANCED SEARCH SELL A HOME WHAT'S MY HOME WORTH? SELLING STEPS PRICING YOUR HOME ESTIMATING YOUR NET PROCEEDS BASICS OF MARKETING YOUR HOME RESOURCES CALCULATORS CONCIERGE REPRESENTING YOU WHAT IS A REALTOR? GET PRE-APPROVED NOW AGENTS BLOG ONLINE EDUCATION ABOUT OUR SCHOOL SIGN UP FOR ONLINE CLASSES CLASS LOGIN REAL ESTATE CAREERS ABOUT US ABOUT OUR BROKER MEET OUR TEAM CUSTOMER REVIEWS ETHICS CONTACT US Realtor.org HUD Agents Only LoginDisclaimerTerms of UseADA Accessibility This site is hosted, designed, and copyright© 1994 - 2021 by Delta Media Group, Inc. -- Patent Pending -- Agency License Information: 003508-00 Broker Lic. #WVB200300588 × We use cookies on our site to enhance your experience and serve up content that's relevant to you. By using our website, you're agreeing to the use of cookies. Privacy and Cookie Policy Accept Cookies