Creekside View- August 12, 2024

Buyers can sometimes drive sellers, Realtors, appraisers, home inspectors, and mortgage officers, amongst others, crazy with their behavior.?

I don’t know about my colleagues, but I can only tolerate so much then I either confront the client to “tell them like it is” or simply avoid the fools altogether and let my competition waste their precious time trying to please them.?

As self-employed professionals, all we must earn a living with our time and knowledge.? There are only so many hours in the day, and I sure don’t want to spend it with a “tire kicker / window shopper.”

It was a summer Sunday afternoon when the phone rang.?

The caller wanted me to meet with him the next day to tour three or four lakes to look at bare lots.?

I asked him what he knew about the lakes in question.?

“Nothing really” he said, “my wife and I are trying to decide whether to buy a lake lot in northwest Saskatchewan or northeast Alberta.”?

“What are the features you are looking for? Trees, open spaces, lake front, fishing, water sports?”

He wasn’t sure; they hadn’t given that a lot of thought, but their friends sure enjoyed camping.?

“What’s your budget?” I said, knowing full well what the answer would likely be.

“We haven’t discussed that, but I hear land is cheaper in Saskatchewan!? I guess we will borrow against our house if we need to, like we did for our new fifth wheel last week.”

Good buyer habit #1: Do your homework before searching for a property.

Then there’s the buyer who thinks keeping their needs secret from their Realtor in fear they will be “sold” something they don’t want or can afford.?

Even hypnotists can’t force people to act in a way that violates their personal values.

Our fulltime work is helping people make transitions; we might even come up with a solution you haven’t thought of!

Good buyer habit #2: Treat the Realtor as a trusted member of the team.?

So, you heard at a party last week the best way to negotiate is start really low.

I bet the person who told you has successfully negotiated hundreds of deals, haven’t they?? Not.?

Lowball or unrealistic offers are despised in the real estate industry.?

All it does is make a seller mad, then dig in and even vow never to sell to you.

Don’t miss out on a property because your attitude is “You must lose in order for me to win!”.

Good buyer habit #3: Make a realistic initial offer and be prepared to negotiate.?

First time home buyers often come to us with a wish list that looks several steps up from the home their parents live in.?

Granite counter tops, hardwood floors, 5pc bathroom ensuite off the master, fully finished basement with media room, double heated garage, and oh yes, RV parking for the pontoon boat.?

All for a bargain price.?

I remember sitting one couple down in my office and showing them on the computer screen what was available in the price range they could afford as opposed to the home they dreamed of.?

The young lady got so upset she abruptly left the room when her fiancé said it looked like maybe they would have to revise the plan for the first few years.?

After all, her father would have no problem gifting them the extra down payment.?

She called another Realtor, took her parents shopping with her, and sure enough, the three of them bought about $100,000 above the couple’s means.?

The marriage for princess and the prince-to-be lasted for about as long as the flowers in the bridal bouquet.?

Dad and Mom lost money on the re-sale too.

Good buyer habit #4: Have realistic expectations of what you can afford.

I realize that I belong to a different demographic than many of my younger clients.?

However, I was born with thumbs so have learned to text if needed.?

Texting does not replace voice communication for important issues, especially when assisting a client with negotiations.?

The best communication is still face to face, but it is sometimes hard to organize in a 24/7 world and highly mobile clients.?

One must be especially careful if the buyers live at a distance from each other.?

I have learned the hard way you can’t assume husbands and wives actually talk to each other either!

Good buyer habit #5: Take the time to talk to each other and your Realtor, then commit your instructions to writing.

Vern McClelland is an associate broker with RE/MAX of Lloydminster, founder of ProgressiveTender.com, and an active partner in his family’s livestock operation.? Comments on this article are welcome either by emailing [email protected]? or calling (306) 821-0611.

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