I was showing condominiums yesterday to a client that has been looking for a quite while now. Just like everyone, they have specific needs or things they are looking for in their next home. Sometimes the qualities they want it to have are because life has changed in some way since the last home they bought. Maybe the family has grown up and now they need a smaller home. Or maybe they feel like they want a one-level home because they just don’t want to have to negotiate a stairway to a second level upstairs or to the basement. Sometimes they have a particular feature of their current home that they have vowed to not have again, like living on a street that was too busy or where the driveway was too steep to get up in the wintertime. So the move is partly to correct past mistakes of earlier home purchases. There are a variety of other reasons too. Each one is a part of the puzzle…part of the unique set of reasons that motivate each buyer-client I have worked with. I think that’s what I find so intriguing and wonderful about working with buyers and the buying process in general. The variety and uniqueness of each person.
As a part of the looking process, when someone encounters a property, they are trying to see if it fits…if it satisfies the “wish list” for the things they want, what they don’t want, and what they would like to have if possible. When they look at it, the home does all the talking. It starts speaking to them even before they walk in the door. Sometimes there are so many things about a home that seem so perfect that they are starting to think “this may be it…this may be the one”. Occasionally I may point out things like “this home doesn’t really have the space for your office on the main-level like you wanted”. Or, ” there are two steps up to the house from the garage you’ll have to negotiate every day, are you sure you want that”? It’s just part of the process. Thinking things through.
Just like the person I was showing condominiums to yesterday, there will be a home that comes very close to their vision and they are contemplating making an offer. But there is something that’s missing. Nothing critical especially, but still not the perfect answer for what they are looking for. I encourage people to be patient until they know for sure. Once you know for sure though, then don’t hesitate making an offer because if it’s a great home then someone else may be thinking the same thing, and it will be gone.
The looking process asks you questions along the way about yourself…what’s important to you. What isn’t. You just have to stick to your guns and don’t pull the trigger unless it’s the right one. Even though this one was close, maybe it’s best just to pass on it until you know for sure. The market has a way of testing you…to see what you are willing to take. Funny…but the right one was getting ready to come on the market in two days. Aren’t you glad you waited!
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