Okay, okay. I know you are probably rolling your eyes saying, “this market isn’t all that easy for homebuyers.”
But, hear me out…
Sure, you are one of many homebuyers with little supply. Offers need to be made quickly and in a small window. But, that is just it, the lack of time allowed for buyers to make a decision means that you have to make a very instinctual decision on a home. Can you see yourself pulling up to the home after a long day of work? Cooking dinner for your family? Lounging in your backyard?
When I first start to work with a homebuyer often there is a period of doubt and/or anxiety. Typically this occurs after the second or third time of looking and being unsuccessful in finding a home. Buyers tend to get a little overwhelmed and start second-guessing their criteria, location, etc. because they haven’t found a home yet.
At this juncture, I make sure expectations are appropriately set regarding the market and what they are looking for, reassure and/or offer suggestions and smile to myself. In my experience, it is typically shortly after this conversation that my clients find their home. I often compare house hunting to dating – you have to go through a number of bad eggs to find the one. But once you find the one, YOU KNOW.
Sometimes clients are not able to discern their visceral response to a home and that is totally okay. I always have an eye out for it. I look for their shoulder’s loosening, their speech picking up and/or a slight nod of the head when viewing the home. When I see those things, I know my work has begun and we must work to get this home.
This somewhat innate response when you find the home is why it is imperative for homebuyers to do the work in the beginning of their search. They will want to be as clear as possible with what they want in a home and have proper expectations of this real estate market. Additionally, buyers need to be at a price point that they feel comfortable with (or under) so you are able to pull the trigger and remain competitive in this tight market.
Now that you know the best thing about being a homebuyer, you can also use this information for when you sell your home. For best results while selling your home, you want to elicit this response out of a potential buyer. Staging, professional pictures and proper marking can help make your home the home of someone else’s dream.
Liz is broker and owner of Liz Daigle Realty.
