Home buyers will often start their home search with a very specific list of wants and needs in a home, including area, price, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, etc. Some are even more specific, stating wants such as type of flooring, type of counters, color of cabinets, appliances, etc. These home search criteria are presented to their realtor of choice. In turn, the realtor's job is to find homes that best meet these criteria. If I, as a realtor, can find a home that meets all of these criteria, yahoo! Everyone's happy! Finding EVERY item on the list doesn't always happen.
Many times, a realtor will have to go slightly outside of the buyer's criteria, not because they're not listening to the client or they want a bigger sale (bigger commission), but because there's simply nothing available that meets every single item on the buyer's list. I was working with a client (let's call him "Sam," who was adamant about having it all. He repeatedly told me, "If you can't find anything with everything I want, I'll just wait until something comes up." Believe me, I tried everything in my power to find him what he wanted, including going door to door in his neighborhood of choice asking if anyone was interested in selling. NOTHING was coming up. Sam, also, was searching the internet and driving neighborhoods, but to no avail. This went on for a few months until Sam finally came to me and said, "You know what? I don't really need that extra bedroom or third stall in the garage." Seriously?! There was several homes that would have been perfect for him had he let me know he was flexible in these areas. Unfortunately for Sam, many of these homes had already sold. We did find him a home he's happy with, but the search was longer than it needed to be.
Another buyer, let's call her "Sally," was also very specific in what she wanted. She wanted 2000+ square feet and a private pool within her price range. Sally remained flexible and viewed properties that closely met her criteria. Long story short, Sally fell in love with and purchased an 1800 square foot home with a community pool. She was ecstatic about the open floor plan and not having to maintain the pool herself.
Every buyer's wants and needs are different, and we all have things we can't live without. I totally understand. The point I'm trying to make is that when you're flexible on certain aspects of your home search, you might be surprised at what you'll find.
Jana Haren, Realtor, MSSC
(602) 882-JANA (5262)
janakaye@cox.net
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