Now what do I do?!? Kidding...sorta

We're meeting tomorrow to check out an open house and go over his wants/needs, but I'm wondering what kind of material I should bring along to give him. He's not really serious about buying his first place until August-when he's back in the country for good (works for the US Gov overseas), but I figure I should use tomorrow's meeting to strengthen our rapport and prepare him for buying his first home.

For starters, this guy is probably just a "Customer". He'll only advance to the category of a "Client" if the two of you enter into some kind of Buyer Broker Representation Agreement; and it's doubtful you've done that if you haven't even met him yet.

Good luck in identifying those Wants and Needs . . . . I'd add to that list trying to ascertain his buying capacity.

Good point about the client/customer difference. Usually, i'm more cautious with throwing the word client around. In any case, you're right, he hasn't signed the Rep. Agreement form yet. I was going to bring it along with me tomorrow, but not sure if I should even get into it, since he'll be out of town the next 7 months or so. Or, since he's out of town, is it a case where I should have him sign the form?

I'd say it's something for him to carry away and consider for the next trip. That way, he'll be familiar with the Terms and not feel rushed into signing anything.

And who knows, you may not want to represent him. Your personalities may not click. I'd hate to get married to someone I just met on a Blind Date. It's bad enough when you've courted a prize catch for years and they still turn out to be that Bi-Polar Schizophrenic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Creepo 15 minutes after you get hitched up with them.

Just say'in.

LOL, Vermont! First meetings like this, even if the "customer" isn't leaving the country for 7 months afterwards, sometimes go 7 months without hearing back from the "customer". This happened to me last year. Showed 1 house to a customer sourced from the web, and then I made periodic phone calls and emails with no response...then wallah...12 months later he calls and says he's pre-approved and ready to go.

Real Estate is like cooking . . . ."A watched pot never boils".

I've never been one to do much chasing . . . . it just seems to empower them.

Since this meeting is already done (assumably), this may be too late. But for others reading this: I always come to my new client meetings with "something of value" for the person.

If it's a FTHB, I'll come with a packet of info on the buying process, and a full 2 sheets of questions to ask them in conversation. I also include a couple of "surveys" for them to take home with them and fill out. That's a great way to see if they are serious--by giving them homework!

First time of meeting with the client has something to do in knowing each other before dealing into the business.

[quote=Steve Howe]Since this meeting is already done (assumably), this may be too late. But for others reading this: I always come to my new client meetings with "something of value" for the person.

If it's a FTHB, I'll come with a packet of info on the buying process, and a full 2 sheets of questions to ask them in conversation. I also include a couple of "surveys" for them to take home with them and fill out. That's a great way to see if they are serious--by giving them homework! :) [/quote]

Steve-great points. That's the kind of thing I was thinking. 1st meeting went very well.