What is a Fence Sitter when it comes to Real Estate?

There is lots of talk people sitting on the fence, waiting and watching what is happening. Recently a Home Buyer asked me what it meant when their loan officer said they "need to get off the fence and buy." A young couple said they never heard that saying before.

The interesting thing is, that here in my market, Would be home buyers have been jumping off that fence in droves wanting to buy their dream home. The problem is more that Home Sellers are sitting on the fence, not ready to sell, waiting and watching what will happen.

Causing a log jam of sorts, buyers can not find the home they want. Those homes on the market are being priced higher in response to the Sellers market. Some homes priced at or just under market value sell within days. The homes priced over market value go unsold as buyers look, but wait. It is a new trend to see buyers waiting to make offers instead of just offering what they will pay on an over priced home. 

We have a very strong market here in Southern NH. Sales are strong and steady. We have first time buyers, we have move up buyers and we have a great amount of relocation buyers from other states.

What needs to be done? I was asked. Well first, HOME BUYERS need to be pre-approved. They need to be told about what the real estate market is doing. They should be ready to make an offer when they find their dream home. When they see a home that is priced over perceived market value, make an offer. Buyer agents can easily figure what a home is worth in today's market and assist their buyer in making an offer. An offer starts the buying process. 

For Home Sellers, despite what you may read online, you can not just place any price on a home and it will sell right away. Buyers are savvy. Buyers are waiting and will not over pay for a home. Letting a seller know what the market is really like is an important step. Pricing the home correctly is a must. Trying a home at a higher price and then reducing later gives piece of mind that when you sell, you know you could not have got more. But in the mean time you are wasting valuable sales time. List it at market value from the start.

The hard fact is that all sales do not go like this. A sale can go as well or as bad as the agent you hire. The lesson is that this is why a Buyer or Seller 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. Those that hire me, find a dedication like no other. and for some, a seat next to me for an hour in the future watching the sun and surf. It is the best way to boost energy and produce more.