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Hey Consumer! Can We Talk #3??

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Gwynn Teal Carpenter-Broker: Home and Hearth Realty (Austin)

Hey Consumer!  Can We Talk #3??

We see many articles written about what a buyer needs to do before beginning the search for a new home.  What happens next??  So here's some tips for buyers about searching for that "ideal" home:

•·         Give a detailed description to your Realtor about the items you must have in a home; excited about if they were part of the home and "pie in the sky" items that would make you scream "hallelujah" !

•·         Keep the first couple of outings to no more than 6-8 homes .... you will be "brain dead" if you try to see more.  Homes will blend together until you can't remember what house was which if you see more.

•·         Be prepared to be out at least 2-4 hours.  Dress in comfortable clothes and shoes.  Eat before going out and ask if bringing a drink would be ok...gotta stay hydrated!

•·         Depending on the weather and seller's request you might need to remove your shoes....so wear easy off and on shoes.

•·         And BE ON TIME to your appointment with your agent.  She/He had to schedule the showings with a seller and being punctual will keep those sellers happy.

•·         Bring a notebook for notes and a camera (ask agent before you snap inside photos).  This will help your memory - remember the "brain dead" statement above.

•·         It's ok to open closets, look in the attic or scope out the storage shed BUT KEEP your hands off personal furniture.....they aren't selling their dresser so it's not necessary for you to look in it!

•·         Before you take a "potty break" ask your Realtor if that is ok.  If you decide to go in a vacant house you'd better test to see if the water is still on... flushing is mandatory!

•·         And finally, if you don't like the outside of the home or the n'borhood, tell you Realtor and SKIP SEEING  that home....one less that you have to think about.

 

So what are waiting for?  Call your favorite Realtor (Home and Hearth Realty in Austin Texas) and get started.

Posted by

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Home and Hearth Realty, Inc.

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Gwynn Teal Carpenter ... the Realtor with an Austin Attitude - laid back with professional results!

Making real estate fun and exciting in Austin, Texas and the surrounding area. Home and Hearth Realty helps you find your way in the real estate maze. We talk with you in a relaxed informal manner and guide you through the process whether you are selling your home or purchasing one. We work for you, and explain everything in terms you can understand.

Check out my real estate philosophy - www.homeandhearthrealty.com

Austin Board of Realtors and San Antonio Board of Realtors

Questions about real estate, Austin Texas, relocation or anything else will be gladly answered if you shoot me an email to: 

gwynn@homeandhearthrealty.com

Comments (14)

Keisha Hosea- KASIHomes.com
KASI Homes - Chino Hills, CA
Real Estate Solutions For Real People

Wise advice Gwynn. I definitely try to go over these items with clients before venturing out. There is so much to accomplish on a day out on home tours. Knowing the little tips beforehand can certainly help.

May 25, 2011 02:02 PM
Kim Inman
Mountains to Lakes Real Estate, Inc. - Harriman, TN
CRS, Broker/Owner

Gwynn...I especially like the advice about skipping the house if you don't like the area or exterior. I think many times a buyer is hesitant to do that but it does save SO much time!

May 25, 2011 02:05 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Gwynn,

These are sound tips that can help the showing process!!

May 25, 2011 02:32 PM
Jeff Markell
Empire Home Loans Inc. - Tustin, CA
Sr. Mortgage Consultant - Forward & Reverse

Gwynn, Some very good tips. Thanks for sharing. I too like the tip about not going inside if they don't like the outside. Sometimes I think buyers feel obligated to go inside to appease their agent.

May 25, 2011 07:31 PM
Gwynn Carpenter
Gwynn Teal Carpenter-Broker: Home and Hearth Realty (Austin) - Austin, TX
: Broker, Home & Hearth Realty (512)467-6191

Keisha: Buyers need alll the advice one can give them!

Kim:  I'm very vocal about this issue..why look at a house that you don't like on the drive up! 

Dorie: We give tips about everything so a list on the showing process should be part of the buying process.

Jeffrey:  We try to make the buyers feel very comfortable about the showing process as it can be intimidating.

May 25, 2011 08:12 PM
John Handschuh ABR SRES
RE/MAX Legacy - Chalfont, PA
Bucks County Real Estate

Gwynn, great tips for the buyer, information is key in this business. Just hope they listen to your advise.

May 26, 2011 12:22 AM
Gwynn Carpenter
Gwynn Teal Carpenter-Broker: Home and Hearth Realty (Austin) - Austin, TX
: Broker, Home & Hearth Realty (512)467-6191

John:  Some do and some don't but on the second day out, I insist on skipping those they don't like or the n'borhood isn't up to par!  I call it "client management".

May 26, 2011 02:48 AM
Connie Harvey
Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN
Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

Gwynn, wonderful tips for Buyers! I so often forget to tell them about the shoes. Nothing worse that standing in bad weather trying to get them off and on again!

May 26, 2011 09:28 AM
Gwynn Carpenter
Gwynn Teal Carpenter-Broker: Home and Hearth Realty (Austin) - Austin, TX
: Broker, Home & Hearth Realty (512)467-6191

Connie:  Yea, those shoes get buyers.  And I hate bad weather or sprinkler systems that have just gone off.

May 26, 2011 02:03 PM
EC, JF, Double R and Zoey the Cool Cat
Russel Ray Photos - San Diego, CA

Nice list, Gwynn. I can only imagine what you real estate agents go through sometimes with people dragging their family along, using you as their personal taxi, etc.

May 26, 2011 04:04 PM
Gwynn Carpenter
Gwynn Teal Carpenter-Broker: Home and Hearth Realty (Austin) - Austin, TX
: Broker, Home & Hearth Realty (512)467-6191

Eric:  I've actually rented a van before and taken my RV to haul a "load of clients" around to see homes.  You never know how many will want to go....they make it into a vacation instead of a business trip.

May 27, 2011 01:44 AM
Lloyd Binen
Certified Realty Services - Saratoga, CA
Silicon Valley Realtor since 1976; 408-373-4411

Gwynn, this is a very helpful list of important items that can be easily forgotten without the proper reminder you've just written. 

May 29, 2011 01:33 PM
C. Lloyd McKenzie
Living Albuquerque - Albuquerque, NM
Living Albuquerque

Gwynn,

Now I have not been diligent at checking out your blogs...I missed this one.  This is a very god list.  I will start paying closer attention to your posts.  Thanks...

May 29, 2011 03:37 PM
Gwynn Carpenter
Gwynn Teal Carpenter-Broker: Home and Hearth Realty (Austin) - Austin, TX
: Broker, Home & Hearth Realty (512)467-6191

Lloyd:  I sometimes forget the shoe thingie.....but really emphasize the BE ON TIME!

C Lloyd: It's ok that you missed it earlier ...now you know I have a blogging voice - my post come about every 2-3 days.

May 30, 2011 01:18 PM