These Buyers are all CRAZY

A Home Seller searched high and low for the best plan to save money when selling his home. He chose an entry only listing, paid a couple thousand up front, got his home in MLS and waited for buyers to come. This Manchester NH area home has been for sale for a good 3 months, very unusual for a home in this neighborhood to not sell quickly. I had a buyer that was very excited to find it was available. The MLS listing told me to contact the seller to set up the showing direct.

After 3 calls in 3 days to match my 3 emails the seller called me back. He told me more times we couldn't see it then could see it. The buyer agreed to a time and we went to see the home. The seller seemed more bothered by the showing then excited to see a buyer. He was very negative. He followed us bumping into the buyer at least twice as they walked through the home.

After all that, my buyers still loved it. I sat with the buyer and went over what other homes have sold for in this popular neighborhood. We noticed a couple of issues with the home, the carpets will need replacing, there were deep scratches in the hard wood. We looked at what the home was worth and made a good offer despite the short falls. Identical homes in the area, same size, same builder, same style have all sold for less. 

I called the seller and asked if he would like me to come by with the offer or email it. The seller said if you are not wasting my time come over now. It was near 8pm, but sure, it was not that far. The seller proceeded to have a mental breakdown for a full price offer asking for 3% credit towards buyers closing costs. A buyer with 800 credit. Full pre approval. Nothing to sell and available to close quick. Just a small amount of savings being newly married.

Now I was puzzled. The seller said they could not wait to sell the home. They needed to move quickly. Yet they over priced the home. Made it near impossible to see. Did everything but push us out the door when we wanted to look at it and then refuses a really good offer? As the seller shouted me down the sidewalk, a neighbor who I actually sold their home had peaked out his door to see what was going on. As he walked over, the seller continued to say "How crazy all buyers are." They want to offer less, they want their closing costs paid they want inspections, they want time to get mortgages and on and on... 

I looked at the seller and said, yes, that is how buying works. They make an offer and you can accept or counter what you do want. I told him you never reject an offer without a counter and further more, never throw a buyer or his agent off your property for making a good offer. The neighbor who I sold the home to, invited me over. At the neighbors, he told me what i knew, "why the home has not sold." He did tell me the couple down the street was thinking of selling as he called them. It is after 8pm i said, he didn't have to do it now. Too late they were on the phone and invited us over, right here and now. 

We walked down to the home. The older couple was happy to see me. I disclosed to them the story and that I was representing buyers. They walked me through the home as they told me how they were moving in with their son and his new home. The home was perfect, very clean and no wear and tear. They asked me about prices. I actually had my folder with comps i pulled for the buyers. We went over comps. They then disclosed they had a full appraisal already done and did I know my value is $900 more than the appraisal came in at. The couple said call your buyer, we are ready to sell if they are ready to buy. I called the buyers and they headed over. It was just after 9pm. The sellers called their son to come over. They walked through the home and the seller baked some cookies for us. I spoke with the buyers about the price. They loved the home. We all sat at a table for 10 and discussed an offer. The buyers son told the sellers it was common for sellers to credit buyers with closing costs. He reviewed the contract and the disclosures. We wrote the offer, the buyer and seller signed the offer becoming a contract. It was nearing 11pm. I was wiped out. It was a pleasant surprise and happy ending to a night and story.

You know what I forgot though, my car was a half a block down near that other seller. The neighbor walked me down as he headed home too. I thanked him, but he thanked me for how well i treated him when he bought. He chuckled how his neighbor lost a sale and pondered if he would ever sell. We get to my car and the door opens. It was Mr. do it yourself sellers wife seemingly dragging Mr. Seller out. She said she wanted to talk. I let her know the buyer bought another home, but did not say where. The wife said she was sick of her husband "making a mess" out of the sale of their home and it was time for a change. I briefly spoke to her and learned  they did not have an exclusive listing. She invited me back during the day, which will be part 2 of this adventure some day soon.....

THE BOTTOM LINE is that there is a Right way and a Wrong to buy or sell a home. This is an example of the wrong way.  Sellers need real answers and real solutions. Communication is key. Having a GOOD agent is a must. 

The HARD TRUTH  is the BEST way to go about any home sale or purchase is to know that the consumer should not choose just any agent, choose the BEST agent for the job. My philosophy is simple, provide more personal and professional service to guide my clients through each step of the buying or selling process. All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest. By using a philosophy, which is simple, to provide more personal and professional service to guide my clients through each step of the buying or selling process, I can help you find your dream home.

It is important to Hire the BEST Agent. In NH that could be me.  By using a philosophy, which is simple, to provide more personal and professional service to guide my clients through each step of the buying or selling process, I can help you find your dream home .