So, you’ve decided to sell your home? That’s great! Selling a home is an exciting process, but it often requires a lot of time and effort. You need to find a reliable realtor, get your home ready for showings and communicate with potential buyers. Unfortunately, not every buyer who seems enthusiastic will be serious about buying your home. Dealing with these types of buyers can drain your energy and take up a lot of your time for nothing, which you definitely want to avoid. Knowing how to recognize signs you’re dealing with a serious home buyer will help you out a lot here, so make sure to keep on reading.

1. They hired a realtor

When it comes to buying a home, professional advice is much appreciated. Hardly any serious home buyer will dive into the whole process alone. Having a realtor that represents their wants and needs shows that they really set their mind on closing a sale. Also, in many cases, the seller is the one that pays the realtor fees. This means there’s virtually no reason buyers wouldn’t hire one.

On the other hand, if a buyer’s going solo, there’s a good chance they’re not ready to make the purchase just yet. Moving experts at Harris Movers noted that the majority of those visiting the houses without an agent are just browsing through and checking the market out. While there’s nothing wrong with that, chances are that’s just not the person who will buy your house.

2. They’ve already been pre-approved for a mortgage

The majority of home buyers finance their new homes with a mortgage. Those who actually want to buy your house will often submit a pre-approval letter of confirmation from their lender. Having their finances in check is one of the main signs you’re dealing with a serious home buyer for multiple reasons.

First of all, it shows that they can actually afford your home. Sometimes, people tour houses outside their budget for fun without any intention of buying. Also, submitting a pre-approval letter makes the offer more competitive as it increases the chance of you choosing their application. Going through the process of being approved for a loan can be a hassle, so only serious home buyers will take that on themselves.

3. They’ve been on the housing market for a while

Buyers that have just started their search for a new home often don’t want to make a decision immediately. Instead, they want to explore different options and see what works best for them, and that’s perfectly okay. However, this means that they’re unlikely to go through with their purchase right away.

Experienced buyers that have been cruising the market for a while are a whole other story. Generally, these buyers have a much better idea of what they want. Because of this, they are not afraid to make an offer when they see something they like. Also, they’re more likely to move in quickly, which often requires them to let experts jump in and help which includes moving services and hiring movers. This is great if you’re in a hurry to sell, and you should pay attention to these buyers.

4. They take their time during the viewing

Doing a house tour is a necessary part of every home-buying process. This is an opportunity to get familiar with the house and all its benefits and potential issues. Also, it gives potential buyers a chance to visualize how the space would look like if they were the owners. This is why taking enough time to go through every part of it is of the essence.

A buyer that’s in and out of your door in ten minutes likely isn’t the one that’s going to go through with the offer. This is often a sign that they’re not that interested, and you shouldn’t count on them. On the other hand, potential buyers that take their time during the house tour are generally a green flag. If they seem like they want to get familiar with your home, there’s a good chance they’re considering purchasing it.

5. They ask the right questions

One of the main signs you’re dealing with a serious home buyer is their curiosity. A buyer that’s interested in your home will want to know details and won’t be afraid to ask. They might inquire about previous renovations, utility costs, or heating and cooling systems. Your potential buyers might also ask to check the condition of appliances like stovetops or water heaters. In most cases, these things come with the house and are included in the price. All of these details are very important for making a final decision, and a serious buyer will try to get as informed as possible.

People that have their mind set on buying often have questions unrelated to the actual state of your house. A good example would be property taxes or general information about the neighborhood. This type of enthusiasm and desire to know more are things to look for in a perfect buyer.

6. They visited with other household members

If you’re selling a family home, there’s a high possibility that another family will buy it. Having more than one person from the household of the potential buyer visit the house you’re selling is generally a good sign. This means that they’ve discussed it as a family, which generally wouldn’t happen if they’re not interested. Furthermore, everyone gets to express their opinion about the house. Of course, those opinions wouldn’t matter if they weren’t serious about closing a sale. These people are potentially serious buyers, and you should try and establish a connection with them.

Conclusion
Selling your home is generally exciting but might not always be straightforward. Having a few offers fall through can be a bit discouraging. Still, you shouldn’t worry. Instead, try to redirect your attention to buyers that show active intention to purchase a house. Knowing what to look for regarding signs, you’re dealing with a serious home buyer can be very helpful here. This way, you’ll be able to focus on the right people and make a sale in no time!

6 Signs You’re Dealing with A Serious Home Buyer by Sally Norton