In Today’s Market, My Advice: Be Mentally Prepared

Our Chaotic Real Estate Market & How to Navigate it…

 

Buying or selling a home is a huge financial decision, one that should not be taken lightly, especially in our crazy real estate market! I have written a lot of informative blogs recently and I thought today that I might cover the emotional side of things, but don’t worry I won’t get all sappy on you!

One of the biggest issues were facing in a market like this one, is that you’ll likely be making some big decisions more quickly than you are comfortable with. Unlike in the past, when the market worked for the buyer, the ball is currently in the seller’s court. For this reason, I am working hard to help mentally and emotionally prepare my clients for this market, even before we start looking. Of course, this doesn’t mean I’m putting my clients at risk, it just means that the sequence in which we would usually make decisions, is a bit of a different route.

This means that we will likely bring an offer to the table immediately upon finding a home that you love. Then we’ll use the “subject removal” stage to gather all our information and decide if the home is truly a fit for you. By being aware of the pace at which things are expected to move forward, you will be better prepared to deal with making an offer as soon as you come across “THE House”.

Another thing to be aware of, is the negotiation process in our current real estate market, which is always a very stressful time for all involved. Typically, the average individual will react emotionally to this part of the process, which is why its great to have a skilled negotiator in your court.  Managing emotions during this phase is the key to making it a successful process. By keeping emotions in check and using non-combative as well as strategic wording, a successful outcome is more likely for both parties involved.

As a seller, you’ll be dealing with showings and the feedback that comes of them, while also looking for your new home. The constant interruption of your normal life can cause a fair amount of stress in a family. It is a good idea to make a plan prior to listing your home, regarding how to manage the showings, schedules, and individual family tasks, which can help ease this stress.

A few suggestions for making this process smoother are:

• Keep a nice set of bathroom towels on hand to make a quick switch for a showing,
• Spread out the work, have a set job for everyone to break up the work load before a showing
• Make a plan for pets, including stashing away their bedding and dishes
• Manage the smells in your home, by making sure to air out your home as often as possible
• Always take the showing feedback with a grain of salt, it is not personal

Lastly, make sure to have open communication with your agent about your expectations for the entire process. With our real estate market being as chaotic as it is, ensuring proper communication, will prevent issues from creeping up and becoming bigger then they need to be. If you don’t want any showings after a certain time in the evening, tell your agent. If you are not willing to part with certain items in the house, either remove them before you list the house or make a list for your agent. No need to add undue stress to an already crazy time in your life. The better prepared you are physically and emotionally, the easier this entire process will be!

Remember, my job as Realtor is to make this transaction happen quickly, at the best price possible and with the least amount of stress for all involved!

If you are interested in buying or selling a home, let me help you Find Your Perfect Home