Nathan Krotzer

A few weeks ago, I had a blood boiling experience and I'd like to get some professional opinions on the situation.

I have a buyer who is qualified for $110,000. He found a house that he wanted to look at and it was priced at $125,000. I told him that it was beyond his price range, but if he wanted to still look at it and make it offer, I would be happy to do so, but I wanted to make keep his expectations in check. He told me that he'd like to see the property anyways. I did not ask any more questions. I showed him the house and he loved it. Running, the numbers for him, they were not going to work for him.

On the feedback form, the question was asked, "Why is your buyer not interested in the property if applicable." I wrote that my buyer would not be able to afford the house. The seller (not the listing agent), sent me an email asking me why I was showing their home to people who could not afford it. I told them that I was sorry for the inconvenience, but my buyer requested to see the property and it is my job to yield to my client's wishes, and he thought he might be able to do something with it. I also added that it was a lovely home and that I would be glad to show it to another buyer. The seller then called me later that day and let me have it! She yelled that they take the time to keep their home in great shape and they don't need me wasting their time with buyers who cannot buy the property. I was told that I was incompetent because I obviously did not qualify my buyer.

I am of the opinion that any showing to a Realtor is time well spent as they can spread the word to a number of their buyers if the house is a nice house. Its fine if she doesn't want me to show her home to people who are not qualified up to the asking price-- fine. I would suggest that they make that clear on the MLS.

But my question is-- do I show the property again to another client who is qualified to buy the property? On the one hand, I have an obligation to my client to show the house if they'd like to see it. On the other hand, this seller is off of their rocker, and I fear the volatility of the seller and what it might do to the transaction if there is one. My ego would tell me not to show it just to spite the seller :-P

My idea is that I present this information to my other buyer and let them decide. What do you think?

Perhaps everyone has experienced this once: I have a friend who just bought a house from another Realtor who they did not know!!

Our friends may know that we are Realtors, but they are very unfamiliar with how the process works-- maybe its too complicated, although I offer no solution.

In my situation, my friend believed that he was buying a house without having to pay a Realtor. The reality is that the listing agent got the call, referred him to a lender, and helped him prepare an offer! This agent is going to take both sides of the commission no doubt! But in my friend's head, he never contacted anyone to represent him and was not seeing any commission money coming out of his pocket so he thought he was saving money.

It makes me sick to my stomach for the both of us! He could have been properly represented and I could have been paid for it.

What can I do?

With low interest rates, a buyer's market, deflated home prices, and the $8000 tax credit, why are there buyers still on the fence? If you are one of these buyers reading this, please contact a Realtor--preferably me if you live in the York area :-) ! But anyways, are we in historic times for first time home-buying or what? I would like to just take this space to stir up some conversation about the nature of Gen-Y buyers or should-be-buyers in this market.

So we all probably know someone out there, maybe friends or family, who should be making that first home purchase, but they aren't. Many of my Gen-Y peers make up this population of people not buying. So why aren't they buying? Are they ill informed? Do they dislike the idea of maintaining a home? Or maybe it runs deeper like-- maybe home ownership isn't something that generation Y values.

If it is a matter of people being ill-informed, are we Realtors failing in marketing this great opportunity? A brief story: I met with a friend of mine over questions he had about buying. He solicited the meeting. Over the meeting, he agreed with me that it is a great time to buy and it may not get any better than this-- and HE SHOULD BE BUYING! I told him what his next steps were, and sent him some reminders, but the home buying expedition never took off for him, and he has since told me that he isn't going to be buying for now.

What about maintenance, or the underlying responsibility of owning a home? In my own home buying experience, I was anxious to find a fixer-upper so that I could learn a thing or two about home projects! I wanted to put my special mark on a home! But I feel like I am running into a lot of young should-be buyers who value the few advantages of renting. They are at ease if it is someone else's responsibility, and they don't care that their rent gets thrown away instead of building up equity. Is it as simple as a difference in values?

Allow me to potentially stereotype my own generation. Is there something different about this culture? Ownership is American! Isn't it? But this curiously doesn't seem to be a shared sentiment with some my peers, which I alluded to in the above paragraph. Perhaps Generation Y is a more nomadic people and we do not like to be tied down. I don't know what it is so could you please help me out?

Nathan Krotzer

RE/MAX Patriots

2575 Eastern Blvd. York, PA

www.myyorkparealtor.com

York residents,

I write this letter to inform the public of the outrageous circumstances facing a disabled veteran right here in York County in hopes that change and justice will ensue. A disabled veteran in York County is currently trying to buy a home, but is being turned away for issues all precipitating from the fact that he is disabled, and I have the fortune of representing this man as his Realtor.

To explain briefly, our veteran has had stress related ailments since his return home from the First Gulf War. Although ill, this man’s pride yielded him the strength to better himself by pursuing higher education and work. Unfortunately, one of his stress episodes resulted in his hospitalization for heart disease, and he was diagnosed with a heart condition that numbered his days (but he has proven his doctors wrong!). The hospitalization rendered him and his wife unable to pay their bills, and they were forced to declare bankruptcy.

The bankruptcy could not clear the student loans, but the department of education granted our veteran a hardship forbearance that he would not have to pay back due to his disabled status. Our veteran and his wonderful wife have been honest and diligent, and have since had a wonderful financial record allowing them to qualify for a mortgage—if not for the waived student loan. The department of education refuses to wipe it from his record. Todd Platts was asked to assist in the matter, but has petitioned for him unsatisfactorily.

My words here come not only out of obligation to my client, but out of my obligation as an American to give back to these brave and selfless veterans and try to help them achieve justice.

Sincerely,

Nathan Krotzer