An interesting tour with a lovely couple yesterday reminded me that, until prospective home buyer actually see, walk, ride through an area of interest, they don't always know how they'll really like the area.

Oh sure, the buyers themselves selected that 6 acre home site with the fabulous cedar sided home.  They loved the house.  They loved the home site.  They loved the view.  But. . . . .

"It's so quiet", said the buyer.

"Of course it is", I responded.

Then it came.

I don't know about this road.
I don't know about the distance.
It's so far out.
I don't know about shopping.
Where's the nearest house?
I don't know about the long road . . . . . . . . . .


Country living

 

Far out??? - - From what???  As I explained to them, it's only "far out" depending on "from where" and if you're more comfortable being around or close to neighbors. 

Then, Lenn had a "EUREKA MOMENT".

Without having the experience of rural or country living, many prospective home buyer living in and/or moving from the city will not really like the country atmosphere.

They like the privacy of the large lot but they are more comfortable if they can view other homes.

They love the country side but worry about the country roads.

They hate the traffic noise in the city but think the rural home site is "too quiet".

Town may be only 15 minutes away but they worry about getting to a hospital in an emergency.

They don't want to be near commercial areas, but want a super market close by.

They love seeing Bambi in the meadow while driving around but want to be assured that there won't be any snakes or bugs around their home.

If the drive to the home for sale is more than 5 minutes, buyers may feel like the house is in the "interior" of a unsettled forest area.

LESSON LEARNED??  When folks are coming from a densely populated and developed community, prepare them for "the country atmosphere".

Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988, serving home buyers in Maryland and Northern Virginia.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WE ARE BUYERS AGENTS IN LOUDOUN COUNTY VIRGINIA.  WE KNOW LOUDOUN COUNTY REAL ESTATE, NEW AND RESALES.  

Lenn      search     

 

Lenn Harley, Broker, Realtor, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988

HOMEFINDERS VIDEO 

For a tour of homes in your location of choice in Loudoun County, contact Homefinders.com.  We'll arrange a wonderful tour and you can get to know the county, shopping, recreation, the real estate market and the hardest working Buyer's Agents in the area. 


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51 Comments on A EUREKA MOMENT! You Can Take The Buyers Out Of The City, But That Doesn't Mean They'll Like The Country!!!

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

AUG
31
872,258 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Lenn,this sort of sums it up for me LOLOL! And so true. I have experienced this before with Buyers.

They love seeing Bambi in the meadow while driving around but want to be assured that there won't be any snakes or bugs around their home.
5:16am • #32
651,928 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I think living in the country would be creepy.  So much silence and no activity.  Oh, and imagine living by a corn field!  NO thanks!  
5:33am • #33
1,949,635 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Frank and Sharon.  I've experienced it several time.  The dynamics are fascinating.

Christiansen Team.  I know living in the city is creepy.  Been there, done that.
5:36am • #34
704,520 Points 56 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good Morning Lenn, I have had similar responses when people want to see my rural listings, my favorite is "what is that smell?"  Have a great Friday.
6:11am • #35
184,167 Points 6 Featured Posts Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

So true! I've had very similar experiences here in the Hudson Valley just north of NYC...city folk like the idea of it until they are actually out here!
6:23am • #36
275,890 Points 17 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I live on three acres out in the country but six minutes to a Walmart.  People still say that I live SO FAR OUT from everything.  It is just perception.
6:45am • #37
1,949,635 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Scott.  THAT is funny. 

Vanessa.  Indeed.  If they come from a rural area, we're way ahead.

Kathryn.  I hear the same thing.   However, my home is convenient to the area in which I want to sell, which covers 5 counties.  That said, I can go anywhere.
6:57am • #38
1 Featured Post Called Shot Master

Dark at night? So quiet you can hear the crickets and cicadas, and the wild turkeys at dawn? Country roads and a long driveway? In Northern Virginia? YES, PLEASE. :)
7:00am • #39
1,949,635 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Mary.  BINGO!!
7:06am • #40
838,594 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

What a good post and share. I had a buyer comment on a listing I had that was semi-rural that it was too private. They were worried about it being so far from everything. (5 minutes and around a mountain). Well all my marketing and the listings strengh was based on country living, quietude, wild life corridor and private living....So, what brings you out here were my thoughts? Lenn, I love this this business
7:35am • #41
300,008 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Hi Lenn, I really like your list, that absolutely hits the nail on the head, about what people really want.
9:07am • #42
980,857 Points 114 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sounds like "Green Acres" to me.  And if they aren't ready for a spectic . . . that always seems to be the dividing force.  "WHAT? No public sewer line?"  Hmmmmmmm, no.  On the plus side, there's not an out-house, LOL  I'd rather see stars at night.
10:25am • #43
227,617 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Lenn -- reminds me of a house we lived in for a while -- 17 miles down hill to the nearest anything.  But the views and quiet were outstanding.  Me, I don't care if in countyside, or town/city -- as long as I have family with me, and can earn a living.
10:56am • #44
137,065 Points Outside Blog

I don't have much experience with taking buyers out to country homes, but this post certainly nailed down what I might expect.
11:02am • #45
504,571 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I'd love to be able to look up and see all the stars at night, but to be honest, the "alone" feeling would be kinda creepy.
11:16am • #46
1,115,748 Points 117 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Lenn yup that happens on occasion here in our AZ deserts. Home buyers have a romantic idea of how great it would be to live on that horse ranch. Reality hits hard and fast when they understand the roads could be flooded during monsoon season or getting to work every day will take an extra hour or so...and let's not forget about all the critters you need to watch out for. It's just not for everyone. City folks are better off in the city and country folks love the country.
11:19am • #47
4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

My favorite reaction of people moving to my 'country' suburb where everyone has an acre, but the pizza guys still deliver is they can let their precious dogs run freeeeeeeeee!

Uh, no. Not if that means your pup is pooping on my lawn regularly or chasing my kiddo.

My second favorite country misconception are the people who want to live in the country and see cattle as their view as long as the cattle don't smell or attract flies. HA!

I've lived in the country--35 miles from the nearest town, nearest neighbors a mile away, dark except for our yard light, quiet, quiet, quiet and complete with cattle, horses, deer, coyotes, skunks, bugs, owls, and rattlesnakes. Loved it! I've also lived in an urban city apartment and 'regular' town suburbs. I can tell my clients all about each which is good--what gets me is that some things just don't sink in until they live it. Driving around and showing buyers the good and bad is a good way to help them see the light...or the dark. lol

 
11:20am • #48
627,071 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Lenn-this is way too funny! Moving from the city is really something that buyers really have to be ready for, it's way different in so many ways. 
4:17pm • #49
553,241 Points 147 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Lenn, that is kind of funny.  I lived is large metropolitan city years ago, and when I could get back to the quiet Shenandoah Valley, I was so happy.  I love the quiet.  Definitely a matter of choice.  I can see their dilemma too.
7:39pm • #50
SEP
01
1,949,635 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Richie.  That is confounding, isn't it.  They see precisely what they think they want and reject because of those very features.

Sandy.  I realized years ago that folks don't know what they want until they enter it and it "feels right".

Carla.  I have had buyer who want the 3 acres or more but expect public water/sewer.  Not likely to happen.

Steven.  Not to be overlooked.

Keven.  Glad to give you some insight.

Eric.  Not to those who find no solice in a neighbor looking in your window.

Anna.  BINGO!!

Deb.  I sometimes believe that the best think about being in the country is not having door to door salespeople knocking on my door. 

Adrian.  Most like the idea but then reject the reality.

Mike.  It's all what one is familiar with.
3:38am • #51

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