Why Should I Sell Or Buy With A Bilingual Realtor? – Maria Ramirez

On this episode of The Closing Table, we sat down with Maria Ramirez!

To watch the full episode, check it out on YouTube below. In the meantime, here’s a summary of the conversation…

Here’s what you missed from Maria Ramirez…

The conversation began with a fill-in-the-blank icebreaker on what can help sell a home faster, what her real estate market is mostly affected by, and more. Maria introduces herself as a mother of two children and a grandchild, emphasizing her love for travel and how real estate aligns perfectly with her passions. Maria proudly identifies herself as a fur mom to two adorable pets and describes herself as a joyful, single individual who cherishes every day as a gift. Her enthusiasm for helping people achieve homeownership is evident, as she believes it to be a beautiful journey. Additionally, Maria shares her love for food and gardening, showcasing her YouTube channel where she posts videos featuring her fur babies, plants, and her life adventures. She started her channel just a year ago, driven by her passion for sharing aspects of her life with others.

Maria’s real estate market is situated in Las Cruces, New Mexico, which is the second-largest city in the state. She acknowledges that people sometimes mistake it for being in Mexico, clarifying that it is, in fact, located in the United States. Las Cruces shares its borders with Arizona and Texas and boasts over 300 sunny days a year. The city’s beauty lies in its steady growth without becoming overly congested with traffic, as it spans a considerable area. Residents have the flexibility to choose from various living options within the city limits.

Maria goes on to provide a comprehensive overview of the economic factors influencing the market, highlighting key landmarks, schools, and attractions. She delves into the housing statistics, reporting that in recent days, there have been approximately 1,200 homes sold, with over 200 of them being new builds less than a year old, thanks to multiple builders. The remaining 900+ homes are resales. The median price for new homes stands at around $335,000, while resale homes typically go for about $300,000. Maria emphasizes that these are median prices and that the market also features many high-end homes.

She then recounts a significant experience where her bilingualism proved invaluable in her real estate career. She explains that she has managed transactions entirely in Spanish, emphasizing that being bilingual is not solely relevant to clients from south of the border but extends to individuals who are already established in the United States and may not be proficient in English. Maria vividly describes a particular client whose entire transaction was conducted in Spanish, and all documentation was done through wet signatures, eschewing digital methods. This meant Maria had to make multiple trips to meet her client in person to collect signatures, eschewing modern conveniences like email. This dedication to providing a tailored experience was deeply appreciated by the client, who had previously engaged with someone else for a home purchase but chose to work with Maria due to her personalized and trustworthy approach.

Maria has encountered a growing trend of retirees relocating to Las Cruces, which prompts the question about her success in helping retirees find their dream homes. She proceeds to recount a recent success story that highlights her expertise and dedication. Maria had the opportunity to assist retirees who were looking to purchase a home without physically visiting it beforehand. This scenario was particularly challenging due to their time constraints. However, Maria’s preparedness and commitment shine through as she describes the process. She had her phone ready for video calls, enabling the retirees to virtually inspect the property. The result was a successful purchase, with the clients moving in and loving their new home. This achievement was especially gratifying for Maria, given the potential pitfalls of buying a property sight unseen, which she acknowledges can be a risky endeavor if not handled diligently by a realtor.

Transitioning to another aspect of her real estate career, Maria is asked about her most rewarding interactions or relationships with clients during their home-buying journeys. She shares two heartfelt stories that showcase her ability to connect with clients on a personal level. The first story involves a bilingual client, emphasizing the unique challenge of navigating English-Spanish communication. Despite the language barrier, Maria assisted the client, who was a first-time homebuyer with a limited budget. After multiple property viewings, Maria finally found a suitable home within the client’s price range, and the closing was imminent. An unexpected request from the client to show the house to his parents the day before closing led to a heartwarming experience. The client and his parents were delighted with the home, leaving Maria with a sense of fulfillment in helping them achieve their goal.

Maria then shifts her focus to another memorable client interaction. This time, she highlights a case where she built a lasting relationship with a client she met at an open house. Their collaboration extended beyond a single property viewing and spanned multiple home tours. The client’s search culminated in the seventh house they visited, and even though it was a stunning property, the client didn’t feel the connection. However, Maria persisted and eventually helped the client find their dream home in a sanctuary setting. This story underscores the importance of building strong relationships in the real estate industry and the satisfaction of assisting clients in their journey to homeownership.

The conversation wraps up with Maria imparting valuable advice based on her expertise, reflecting on what approach she would take to purchase a home using today’s resources. She recommends starting by interviewing at least two lenders to get pre-qualified. She emphasizes the significance of this step, as lender fees can vary even when interest rates are similar. Maria’s insights are particularly relevant for first-time homebuyers, who often need to maximize their savings. Once pre-approved, she advises prospective buyers to interview realtors, even suggesting attending open houses to meet potential agents. Her willingness to help extends to offering her own services, highlighting her commitment to guiding clients through the home-buying process.

Check out Maria Ramirez:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014188609292

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