I was reading another blog this morning about the phrase "buyers are liars". It's not always true but no matter the circumstance, I'd always rather home buyers just tell me the truth. But how did this phrase come to be so commonly known anyway? Well, let's take a look.
First, I think there is a lot of distrust of Realtors in general. The truth is there are many ethical, compassionate, honest Realtors out there, but as in any profession, the one bad apple spoils the bunch. I remember a number of years ago reading about how the public perceived Realtors. Turns out Realtors were right above used car salesmen in trustability.....in other words we were just right above the bottom of the list. YIKES! Is it any wonder home buyers sometimes withhold all the information?
"What can I do to get you in a car (house) today"??? Would YOU trust this guy?
(disclaimer: not all used car salesmen/women are like this guy!!!)
Second, I think that home buyers are afraid to be completely honest about their situations. For a few years there, it was pretty doggone easy to get a mortgage. Today, not so much. Buyers are worried that their circumstances may hamper their ability to get a mortgage so they keep quiet about things a Realtor really does need to know (and this is why it is so critical to get approved by a lender BEOFRE starting the house hunting adventure). This is one of those situations where I REALLY prefer home buyers just tell me the truth! I can help you find a credit repair specialist that can help if that's the issue. If there's a problem, let's find a solution. We have to be a team.
Thirdly, and this is in regards to what buyers are looking for in a home, things change along the way. What starts out as mandatory at the beginning of the home search may be downgraded to preferable after seeing a few homes and realizing that their expectations may be too high. It's the Realtors job to educate the buyers about the entire process and I always make sure to tell my buyers it's ok if things change as we go through the process. I only ask that home buyers tell me the truth and keep me in the loop. It's all about communication and if a buyer doesn't trust their Realtor enough or feel comfortable enough to communicate when things change, the buyer isn't working with the right agent. This is a huge deal, buying a house. It's emotional, expensive, and can be either thrilling or depressing depending on the circumstances. Find a Realtor you can trust and be open and honest - I promise it will make a world of difference for the whole experience.
So, are buyers really liars? I'm sure there are some, just like there are some bad apple Realtor's, too. The key is to find the right match for you and enjoy the process. Interview agents before you decide on one - see if you click. Eventually, we can change the stereotypes of buyers being liars. Now sellers are yellers? That's a topic for another day!!
Comments(5)