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"WHAT IF?"

By The 1410 Group of Benchmark Realty, LLC

Real Estate Agent with Benchmark Realty

August 25, 2009 08:57 AM

The longer I am in the Real Estate game the more I hear the phrase "what if?".

I think this phrase can be very useful. For example, "What our financing doesn't go through?" "What if the inspections come back and we don't want to deal with the headache of fixing all the problems?". These are all "what ifs" that can save a lot of heartache in the future. I am a big supporter of that phrase and practice it myself with many situations in life. That phrase can save the day!!

On the flip side I have seen that phrase just KILL DEALS and opportunities. Months ago I heard that phrase in reference to mortgage crazy home buyers rates... "What if the rates drop lower than 4%?" That was a BIG what if considering that we were staring down historical lows in the face! My question was "What if they go back up tomorrow?". Of course I liked the fact that they were that low BUT it was bound to go up.

Those SAME CLIENTS are now asking the question "What if the government extends the First Time Home Buyers Credit?". My question to them...again, "WHAT IF THEY DON'T?????". I am not a pessimist by any stretch of the imagination. I am also not the one to say "I told you so". I wish I was because now is the time to say "I told you so" along with "What if you had bought 2 months ago?". You are still buying...just at a full point higher than you would have. Once January comes around we sure might see an extension of the tax credit....but "WHAT IF WE DON'T?"

Stephen Strickhausen

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

9175 CAROTHERS PKY SUITE 110

Franklin TN

615-778-1818

Sstrickhausen@gmail.com

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Dan Quinn

The Eric Steart Group of Long & Foster Real Estate - Silver Spring, MD

Stephen,

You said it well..."What if?" Sometimes I just say, "I don't know what the future will bring, if I did, Bill Gates would be washing and waxing my car!" (They laugh) Then I say, "Look, here's what I recommend to you..."

It works like a charm.

Aug 25, 2009 09:09 AM

The 1410 Group of Benchmark Realty, LLC

Benchmark Realty - Franklin, TN

Dan,

I like that enough to steal it from you!!! With your permission of course.

Aug 25, 2009 09:16 AM

Leslie Helm

Tennessee Recreational Properties - Jamestown, TN

Real Estate For Trail Riders

Hi, Stephen.

You hit the nail on the head. It always amazes me when people decide what to do and then start second guessing and even managing to talk themselves out of it!

Aug 26, 2009 01:00 AM

Steve Merson 512 412 1621

Keller Williams Realty - Austin, TX

CNE, e-PRO

Great post Stephen! How many times do we have to talk to our clients about "what ifs". What if you get hit by a bus tomorrow? Then I guess everything pales into insignificance but then my own favorite phrase comes into play. As the Nike ad says "Just do it"!!!

Actually that phrase was spawned by the murderer Gary Gilmore who, at the point of execution said, "Let's do it"!!

Now, what if there had been a power cut that day.........................

Aug 26, 2009 05:15 AM

What if..........

I had just looked at the speed limit sign before I saw the red and blue flashing lights in my rear view????????

Oh well, another trip to defensive driving I guess!

Aug 30, 2009 09:20 AM

Stephen, you have my permission. Like I said it works like a charm, because it is right on. Who knows the future? After you say that, you will have a captive audience and they will be listening intently. If the next thing you recommend to them is sound in practice, it is likely they will take your advice.

(If you don't want to steal, use Warren Buffet or Steve Jobs' name instead.)

Aug 31, 2009 01:51 AM

The Brewer Team - Benchmark Realty

Stephen - I'm with you on this. Losers will always find a reason to do nothing, and they will be complaining about not getting the deal that everyone else did.

Sep 08, 2009 02:53 PM

"WHAT IF?"

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