...could be the biggest advantage that working with a good REALTOR® offers a buyer or seller.
It is funny where we see the message sometimes. As you know, it is Halloween. My son woke up this morning so excited that I could not understand a word he was saying for about 15 minutes, and he had calmed down very little by the time we got to school. When his teacher got him out of the car, and he tried to speak to her, it came out on a very loud jumbled mess. The teacher laughed and said, "Yep, we have be hearing a lot of that this morning."
Buying or selling a house is an equally emotional transaction for both sides, especially in today's market. A good REALTOR® who works very hard to understand the needs and goals of their client can really help make sense out of a situation when the emotions begin to fire up. It is the agent's job to highlight the sound business decision part of the transaction always keeping on eye on the big picture.
To illustrate, many sellers are reluctant to de-personalize the home, and in some cases insist on being present when the home it shown to point out those "special" features. The problem is that in most cases the buyers do not care about the special features, nor have they attached their own emotions to the property. The seller is the one with all the memories that have happened over time in their home.
I have found it helpful to explain what I am trying to accomplish. As a listing agent or buying agent, I want the buyer to have the opportunity to see themselves in the home. If the home is de-personalized correctly this can easily be accomplished. Further, my buyers have repeatedly told me that no matter how stealthy an owner is, if they are present for the showing, they feel as if the owner is lurking and just want to get out of the house. If a buyer does not have the opportunity to relax and see themselves in the home, then the house will not get sold.
So, de-clutter and stay away is the answer. If, however, you have concerns about security, it is perfectly acceptable to ask your listing agent to indicate the home will be shown as by appointment only and/or have the listing agent be present if the property is being shown. In fact, a good REALTOR® will do this without being asked particularly if they have never worked with the agent representing a potential buyer.
When an offer comes in, the emotions will surely come in to play. This is where the agent's focus on the expressed goals really comes to the fore. Goals can always change, but it is my job to make sure everyone takes a breath and remembers clearly what the initial stated goals and objectives are. Then, and only then, should there be a discussion of shifting goals. Keeping the emotions in check really is the biggest advantage to enaging a good REALTOR®.
Happy Halloween everybody. I hope those with little ones enjoy it because we only get to do it with them for a short and fleeting period of time.
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