I never realized how many conversations I would have about fear once I got into real estate. These conversation are about my own fear and my client’s. For myself, there is a whole lot of fear that peaks its head when you move across country, leave behind a corporate job (ahem, bi-weekly paycheck) and get into real estate in a city that you don’t know anyone. As my business (and myself) have grown, the fear has subsided a bit but if you are living life right and pushing your limits, fear should never fully dissipate.
Fear for my clients can come out at any part of the transaction. Lets admit it, real estate is scary and can evoke a wide array of emotions. In most cases it is one of the biggest purchases that you will make. Maybe this is your first home post divorce. Or maybe, the financial crisis of 2008 still weighs on you and buying a home sounds so scary since you lost your footing in 2008.
Whatever the reason, fear is a very typical emotion to feel whether you are buying or selling a home. For this reason, I find myself talking to a client’s fear a lot. Sometimes the fear needs more facts, a nudge forward or a bit more coddling. Fear has a number of different faces and one of the ways it can present itself is procrastination. If you find yourself constantly putting off that home purchase or sale, the underlying cause may be fear. Here are a few tips on how to overcome that fear and stop procrastinating!
- Practice making mistakes. No one wants to make a mistake and certainly not a mistake of buying a pricey home. Consider taking small risks which may result in a mistake. This could be as simple as investing a minimal dollar amount into a stock. See what happens – does it grow or does it lose money?
- Reframe mistakes as lessons. Did you end up making a mistake with your chosen investment. No biggie, use it as a learning experience. What could you do differently next time?
- Accountability. If you tend to procrastinate, ask someone to hold you accountable. For the goal of owning a home, this person would help keep you on track, make sure you are looking at homes, setting proper expectations, keep you moving toward the goal. Looking for someone to hold you accountable? Consider your real estate agent as your accountability partner.
- Create a hard deadline. Give yourself time but also a deadline. This ensures you don’t continue procrastinating.
As interest rates drop (again) and we approach a time in the market where it becomes easier for buyers, you may want to examine if now may be the time to take the plunge into homeownership or moving up. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can be anxiety provoking but keep in mind….
“Acknowledging the unproductive thoughts and ineffective behavior that you’ve tried to ignore can be uncomfortable. But, stepping out of your comfort zone and choosing to proactively address bad habits will skyrocket your ability to create long-lasting change.“
