Open Houses are a great way to discover the location, neighborhood and life style you prefer before you start your home search. When you are ready to commit to a home search, it is time to assemble the team that will help guide, coach and provide your negotiation strength and power.
I love hosting Open Houses and getting out into the market, assessing the home I’m representing and greeting the visitors who stop by. Every so often someone comes in and falls in love with the property and has not yet assembled their team. It breaks my heart knowing they rarely stand a chance due to those who proactively prepared while homes were in Coming Soon and Off Market status. Homes go under contract quickly with those who prepared and proactive.
The most common objection I hear from First Time Buyers, typically, is that they fear hurting their credit score shopping for a lender and preapproval letters. Today we will MYTH BUST that objection right out of the water. As a researcher and someone who grew up with a father who never listened to us when the word CAN’T entered the conversation. So as my dad would say:
Take a Listen to the Myth Busting Discussion!
Your Team – Agent and Lender | Preapproval and Impact to Your Credit Score
Today we talk about WHY:
- Your team is important
- Preapproval is a must
- Lender shopping and Preapproval checks do not impact your credit score
The market is very competitive and your agent is the key to understanding the market and the comparables in making a fair offer that stays in alignment with your budget and future appreciation. The next team member will be your lender who will assess your financial situation and provide a working budget and provide a preapproval letter.
Preapproval Is a Must as Yoda Coaches
The difference between prequalification and preapproval is quite simply verification of your financial situation. Prequalification carries no weight in a highly competitive market. You also want a lender who can also advise you in making improvement in preparation of winning an offer and preparing for underwriting and loan finalization.
Your agent and lender along with your preapproval will provide you with:
- A realistic, known buying power range – not just a budgetary upper loan limit
- Speed to making a strong offer
- Confidence in negotiation
- Low risk to close
- Puts you in the conversation and a competitive offer
Building a solid, local team puts you in the conversation instead of at the bottom of the pile.
Objection Myth Busting – It will hurt my credit score to shop for a lender and apply for preapproval!
This objection is a complete MYTH! As Socrates says, “You don’t know what you don’t know” until you speak with someone to gain the knowledge. My first question to you would be, “How much shopping and comparing do you do when making everyday purchases?” So why wouldn’t you shop for the best rate and fees for one of the largest purchases you make and may only make every 5 – 10 years?
The credit bureaus EXPECT you to shop and have inquiries from multiple mortgage lenders and expect this occurs in a 45 day window and counts as one inquiry and costs you 5 points. MYTH BUSTED!
Conclusion and Advice
If you are ready to be a serious home buyer, assemble your team:
- Your market coach and guide
- Your financial coach and advisor
Now you will be ready to remove risk, increase speed and negotiate from a position of confidence and strength! Below are links to 4 great articles that support this Myth Busting discussion.
Be sure to check out the Neighborhoods of The Route 7 Corridor and use the Mortgage Calculator to see what your buying power holds!
I look forward to supporting you soon!
RESOURESCES USED FOR THIS RESEARCH
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What Exactly Happens When a Mortgage Lender Checks My Credit?
Transunion: The Difference Between Hard and Soft Credit Inquires
Realtor Magazine: Study: Buyers Credit Rebounds Quickly After Home Purchase?
