If you are a first time home buyer, or for that matter a home buyer returning to the housing market many years after your previous experience, it is likely that you have not really got a good idea of how the process works. (now I acknowledge you may have done your due diligence online, but that is not a substitute for having a trusted advisor.)
In Real Estate Guy’s experience, buyers in this situation, follow a hard worn path.
Let’s look at how a single buyer, Tom, would experience a home purchase.
Tom bounces thru open houses, he takes a somewhat adversarial approach to the hosting agent. He finds a home he loves and would be happy to buy. But unsure of the next step. And likely not liking or trusting the agent, and not wanting to appear too eager, Tom says he will “think about it”.
Yes this is the time old delay tactic!
In thinking about it, Tom will talk with friends, and together they will come up with all the reasons not to buy the home. But even if he wants to proceed, there will be lots of anguish and he will still have to make the “crazy” move of calling the agent who had the house open, or another agent (which can make the process even more complex).
Dane County spring time
At this point he has no trusted (knowledgeable) guidance to answer questions. Tom begins the process of working in the dark to put an offer on and negotiate to buy this home. The process can be very stressful and daunting and even a successful purchase will likely be just plain uncomfortable. It is even quite likely that at this time there would be an offer on this home, or at least competition from another agent.
Our proposition is that buyers should familiarize themselves with the process before they step in a home. Once a buyer finds a nice home they will be in a situation of knowing what step to take and be comfortable. This will lead to a much better decision.
Real Estate Guy suggests that a new home buyer should find a good Realtor and establish a trusting relationship.
When we first meet a new buyer, we make this easy by offering a no obligation meeting to discuss the home buying process, the market and how a Real Estate Agent can enhance the process and also save the client time. Read RealEstateGuy’s home buyer consultation process.
Before we get together for a second meeting, we make a mutual decision to work together and the process begins by deciding which homes to look at. By working together we can usually decide on the best homes first. This will result in a much faster decision, saving time for a time strapped home buyer.
A trusting relationship means a smoother, less stressful, and often fun transaction. It results in a great home, with generally much less time expended.
I spoke about going to open houses, and the “new” open house is of course the Internet. Still much the same, it opens up the home buyer to far more homes, which means far more choices and hence a more difficult decision. There is still the problem of contacting the dreaded “Salesperson”.
So make it easy on yourself. Select an agent BEFORE you take a step into a single home. We will be very happy to sit down and answer any questions you may have.
About the Author:
RealEstateGuy has been a full time, full service Realtor since 1993. He is dedicated to helping people achieve their Real Estate goals and dreams. In order to provide more specialized service, Guy selected a team of specialists. Guy believes in constantly learning more, so regularly attends national seminars and trainings. Guy has been a top producer, leader in his office, a president of the Wisconsin chapter of CRS, and has spoken at State Realtor Conventions.
