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Oops - Don't Be a Whack-a-Mole When You Buy A House

By Lise Howe

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Capital Properties DC AB15253

April 24, 2015 01:12 PM

I am working with a wonderful young woman whom I have known for several years. I like her a lot, and am enjoying her as she searches for a new home --- but she is all over the place on her new home purchase. She looks here and there - a forty mile radius. She wants to buy an REO, then a pristine renovation. She wants 3 bedrooms, then she can do with 2. Maybe it is this house or maybe it is that house.

Tonight I had the talk with my client/buyer - the one where we say that she needs to slow down and actually decide what she wants to accomplish with this purchase and then verbalize it to me so that I can help her achieve it. I told her she was acting like Whack-a- Mole right now, slapping at anything and everything that pops up.

Thank heavens, she got it - and wasn't offended. She even joked about it at the end of the conversation.

Buying a home requires some decisions - about size, price, location and amenities - and those decisions should be made calmly and rationally, after having evaluated the options available to the buyer. You can't choose a house by whacking whatever comes up. That is truly a recipe for disaster!

If you are planning on buying a home, please give the Lise Howe Group a call at 240-401-5577 or email us at lise@lisehowe.com

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Larry Johnston

Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN

Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Hi Lise Howe , I hadn't heard of that phrase in Real Estate, but it sure gets the point across. Good Blog.

Apr 24, 2015 01:58 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD
Noah Seidenberg

Evanston, IL

Sybil Campbell

Fernandina Beach, FL

Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

That is a really good analogy and I'm glad your client was not offended by it.

Apr 24, 2015 04:11 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Lise - a frank discussion about focus is an important step on the way to a successful transaction. Hopefully, this talk will lead to a decision and finding the right home.

Apr 24, 2015 05:42 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

James Dray

Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Been there done that. Most of the people will listen and adjust accordingly.

Apr 24, 2015 08:25 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Gita Bantwal

RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA

REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I am glad she was a friend so you could talk to her. I had a client who was undecided and I showed her more than 75 homes before she finally bought a house.

Apr 24, 2015 08:36 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Lise Howe

Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC

Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Gita Bantwal - it can be so hard with some clients- and the media portrays us as living the good life! or being really snarky- LOL

Apr 24, 2015 08:41 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

I love your analogy of the whack-a-mole, Lise. I'll have to remember this.

Apr 24, 2015 08:42 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Lise Howe

Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC

Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Thanks Gabe Sanders - I am sure that there was a part of me thinking I wanted to whack her too! we may be getting close to a contract though so we'll see!

Apr 24, 2015 08:49 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD
Gabe Sanders

Stuart, FL

Joe Petrowsky

Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT

Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Lise. I have never heard that term before, but one that I will remember. I don't mind working with friends at all, but sometimes they can be a challenge as you already know.

Make it a great weekend!

Apr 24, 2015 09:16 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Lise Howe

Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC

Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Joe Petrowsky - there used to be a game at Chuckie Cheese and places like that for kids. The game had these little creatures that popped out of mole holes in the machine- and you whacked them on the head with a big soft mallet that was wired to the machine - they popped out randomly and quickly and it was fun to whack them and get points - but not a great way to look for houses -

Apr 24, 2015 09:19 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Lise Howe ~ haven't we all run into buyers like this from time to time! It takes skill to "reign" them in.

Apr 24, 2015 09:24 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is a good story to share. This lady is lucky to have you as her agent.

Apr 24, 2015 09:43 PM

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES

Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL

Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Lise, good for you to be able to help your buyer in finding the direction she wants to go. When people say they are "open to or look at everything", the search turns into looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack. Where to start?

Apr 24, 2015 10:21 PM

Rose King

David Tracy Real Estate - Friendswood, TX

Friendswood / Pearland / Houston Bay Area

That's a tough conversation to have with a client. I'm glad it worked out, and your client understands what she needs to do. Good luck!

Apr 24, 2015 10:52 PM

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Sometimes "the Talk" works and other times it doesn't. I have a buyer now who seems to be less responsive. Good luck!

Apr 24, 2015 11:29 PM

Sheila Anderson

Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ

The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Lise. I love this title and I understand what you are saying too. Glad you had the conversation with your client and hope you find her the home she is ready to buy soon.

Apr 25, 2015 12:39 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Lise- it takes a special person who can tell it like it is to someone and still maintain their friendship or working relationship. It's overwhelming looking for a home and they need someone to give them some guidance!

Apr 25, 2015 05:44 AM

Robert Vegas Bob Swetz

Las Vegas, NV

Hello Lise ... great post and please feel free to join some of my many groups at AR