My friend's 8 year old niece said that she was still hungry after eating a chocolate poptart. I asked my friend if he had anything better to offer her like maybe some fruits or vegetables. The niece said she didn't like vegetables. Then she added "except apples and carrots. I like apples and carrots ONLY." 
As our conversation progressed, the niece remembered that she also liked celery, tomatoes, red grapes (not green), the occasional banana, cherries, cucumbers, plums, peaches, broccoli, and certain blueberries. Which blueberries? Only the ones grown on their blueberry bush; not the ones in stores because the store bought blueberries have "funny spots on the skin."
So what did this 20 minute conversation have to do with real estate? Well, it occurred to me that it was a lot like the conversations I have with homebuyers when they first come to see me.
Like the niece who only likes apples and carrots, the homebuyers ONLY want to see 3 bedroom homes. Upon further questioning, I find out that they don't need a 3 bedroom home; they need a master bedroom, a guest room and an office. This means I can expand the search to include 2 bedroom homes with a suitable office space. Or I find out that one of them has an old knee injury and stairs are an issue. So maybe we need to narrow our search to find an appropriate ranch home.
This is why real estate agents need to listen carefully to clients; this is why clients need to tell their agent about their daily life. When we understand how you intend to use the home in your life, we can find a home that better fits your needs. Expanding and narrowing the search to homes that will work in the client's life gives the client more viable options.
Realtor Maria Morton -816-560-3758- Leading Edge Society 2010...♪♫ 
..........Westport Neighborhood.......Morningside Park....More Kansas City Neighborhoods ....
...*Information obtained from Heartland MLS is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. **This is an eclectic blog combining a little business with pleasure; please consult a licensed professional before making life altering decisions. Maria Morton, Realtor©, SRES is a Kansas City Real Estate Agent licensed in MO & KS and affiliated with Prudential Kansas City Realty 816.410.5499.o Maria Morton Copyright © 2011 *Apples and Carrots ONLY*
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