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House Hunting: It's Not About the Hunt, It's About the HOUSE

By
Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

House Hunting:  It's Not About the Hunt, It's About the HOUSE

When you're house hunting, especially in a market that moves quickly, it can get addictive to search online for homes.  Digging for the perfect home in listings becomes a bit of a sport. So when you find a home that has tripped your trigger and you're ready to make an offer, stop looking at homes online.

Let's face it, there will always be something there to tempt you, but the thrill of the hunt shouldn't blur the reality that you have found a home you want.  You can talk yourself out of home after home after home, only to be left sitting in your rental wishing you could find the perfect home.  Perfect doesn't exist.  Everyone makes compromises when they are buying. 

So when you find a home that has you ready to write an offer, and you've written that earnest money deposit check, step away from the computer.  Go to dinner with a friend.  Watch a movie.  Call your Mom.  Why jeopardize losing a home you want, for the possibility that there MIGHT be a better one?  A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.  That's a saying that very much applies to house hunters who continue to hunt after they've found the house. 

 

 

Comments(29)

Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Chris Ann, this is really wonderful advice.  I'm about to give it some favorite clients!

Mar 15, 2012 10:34 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Hannah:  There's no sense in continuing to shop after you've found the one you like.

Pat:  Glad I could help.

Mar 15, 2012 10:41 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Good advice Chris Ann.  Step away from the computer!  LOL!  It's dangerous to second guess yourself as a buyer.  Do the research that needs to be done, up front, then stand by your decision and move forward!  

Mar 15, 2012 11:06 AM
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Sorry I called you Chris...I meant Chris Ann...Happy Friday! -Kasey

Mar 15, 2012 05:03 PM
Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Great advice, Chris Ann.  So many people try to "second-guess" themselves.  And, that is a pity.

Mar 16, 2012 03:19 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Donna:  Don't doubt your gut.  If you like a home, can afford it and have made an offer, just find something else to do.

Kasey:  You can call me either.  I'm really Chris Ann because my Mom is Chris.

Suzanne:  Seconding guessing themselves can land them without the home they wanted and then lost because they thought they found something better.

Mar 16, 2012 11:40 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!
Chris Great advice for any home buyer. Like a kid in a candy store the more choices the harder the final decision it can be to make.
Mar 16, 2012 12:57 PM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Great observation Chris Ann.  Kinda like being on a dating site.  Once you've found a nice person to spend time with, stop logging on and browsing photos and matches!  LOL

Mar 17, 2012 05:15 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

John:  And why keep looking when you have made a decision.  Wait to start looking again if the offer isn't accepted or worked out.

Carla: I am so glad I settled down before the world of online dating took off.  :)

Mar 17, 2012 07:12 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Hey, Chris Ann!  I included this post in Last Week's Favorites.  Have a great week.

Mar 18, 2012 02:24 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Pat:  I love being included in your best of the week round up.  Thanks.

Mar 18, 2012 03:12 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

So, after you have shot the rabbit, the hunt is over?  Even if there are more rabbits out there?

No double dipping?      ;>)

What if the dip is really good?

Mar 18, 2012 06:07 AM
Dawn A Fabiszak
Private Label Realty ( Denver metro area, Colorado - Aurora, CO
The Dawn of a New Real Estate Experience!

Chris Ann ~ that is so true.  Our market has certainly changed.  If you think too long, it's gone.

Mar 18, 2012 01:38 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Jay:  Well, if you've got more ammunition (money) sure.  Let's go find another one.

Dawn:  Doubting yourself can lose you a home you may never forget.

Mar 19, 2012 02:28 AM
LaNita Cates
REMAX of Joliet - Joliet, IL

Once an offer is accepted - I take my buyers off the MLS search! I don't want to keep sending them homes that they will want to see!

Mar 19, 2012 03:12 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Woulda, coulda, shoulda, good buddy!!    ;>)

Mar 19, 2012 05:38 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

LaNita:  Same here. 

Jay:  Nothing like second guessing yourself.

Mar 19, 2012 05:59 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Ha!  I was referring to all that "ammo" hanging around unused!

Mar 19, 2012 06:03 AM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Chris Ann,

Great advise.  It get's kind of tricky with so many short sales and that waiting game but if the odds are good and the buyers can wait, even on a short sale it's a good idea!

 

Mar 19, 2012 04:48 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Jay:  Hope to be seeing you soon.  Working with eight buyers that will all eventually need home inspections when they get under contract. 

DeeDee:  Waiting on a Short Sale, after wrirting an offer is critical.  If a buyer isn't willing to wait for approval, why write the offer in the first place?

Mar 20, 2012 12:47 AM