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Do Buyers Ever End Buying the First House They See?

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Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

Do Buyers Ever End Buying the First House They See?

 

Often times, when I am house hunting with buyer clients, they will ask how many homes the average buyer sees before making a decision.  It is a tough question to answer.  During our depressed housing market in the later half of the first decade of the new millenium, there was so much inventory to pick from, buyers were paralyzed with indecision.  Nowadays, the seller's market at the beginning of the second decade of the new millenium, there are so few houses for buyers to pick from, it seems buyers get more realistic much faster.

This morning I was happy to attend settlement with first time home buyers who literally saw one home and decided that was the one.  They had been looking at homes online for months leading up to actually getting qualified for a mortgage and getting into my car to house hunt.  They saw how quickly things were moving in their desired area of Culpeper.  

As soon as they walked in the door, they loved the home.  There was nothing that didn't seem to fit everything they wanted.  The location was great, being at the end of a cul-de-sac and with a large lot.  The neighborhood was smaller in size, much more to their liking.  And the home was in pristine condition.  They were able to look beyond paint colors that didn't suit their tastes and see the space itself.

Unfortunately, mine were not the only buyers that wanted this home.  By the time we threw their hat in the ring, there were two other offers.  Mutiple offers scenarios are seen in all price ranges these days.  My buyers made the best offer they could and now it was time for me to use my skills to get it chosen.  I had a relationship with the listing agent from a previous deal we had done.  Very similar in how it played out, but the roles were reversed.  I was the listing agent on a house with two offers and she brought in a third offer.  Her offer ended up being countered, and ultimately, ratified, because she had a clean, well written offer.  I reminded her of this and pointed out that now, the tables were turned.  Sure enough, my agent reputation with her got my buyers a counter offer.  Two days later, my buyers were under contract with her sellers.

Today, these one and done buyers closed on the home of their dreams.  They never once doubted this was the home for them.  They never saw another property.  Doesn't happen like this with most buyers, but it does happen.  In this very inventory limited seller's market, if a buyer sees a home they want, they need to act as soon as they can to make the deal.

Comments (8)

Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good evening Chris Ann. It takes a mature buyer to get it done when they find the one. Congratulations.

Feb 28, 2020 03:33 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Fear to act holds a lot of buyers back.

Feb 28, 2020 03:57 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Chris Ann,  I do remember the second house I ever so, back in 1997, I show the couple the first house and they look and look and look and then I mention we do have 5 more homes to look at.  after all 6 they said can we look at the first one again and sure enough we wrote a contract on it.

 

Feb 28, 2020 04:14 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

That has happened to me a few times with clients.  We see several, but they go back to the first one.  One time, I showed a guy two townhouses.  He literally picked one of the two and that was it.

Feb 28, 2020 04:26 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good evening Chris Ann Cleland - Congratulations on getting this one done.  I am sure everyone is happy.

Feb 28, 2020 07:08 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Yes they are.  The buyers are going with some paint cans this weekend to make the home their own, installling some flooring, then moving in next week.

Feb 29, 2020 08:06 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Chris Ann - congratulations on the closing.  The discussion of number of properties necessary to see when finding that ideal match is a good one to have.  As you said, it varies by person, different market conditions and some other factors as well.  I do remember a client who bought the first house he saw.  Of course, that was after he saw many more.  It wasn't a case of "settling" but he kept coming back to that one when comparing others. 

It does vary and it does make a difference.  

Feb 29, 2020 05:09 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Everyone has to go at their own pace.  When you find the right one and know it, don't hesitate to act.

Feb 29, 2020 08:06 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Chris Ann. Congrats on the sale. As for the number of homes that need be viewed, until the right one is found! Enjoy your day! 

Feb 29, 2020 05:25 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Sometimes it is one, sometimes sixty.

Feb 29, 2020 08:07 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Congratulations Chris Ann.  It does happen. Nice too that you have a good reputation and track record with the listing agent - it can mean the difference in multiple offer situations. 

Feb 29, 2020 07:37 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

This is one where I can say with certainty, they would not have gotten this house without me at the helm.  They would have found something, but they would have struck out on the one they wanted first.

Feb 29, 2020 08:08 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Chris Ann,
I don't think agent to agent rapport is emphasized enough. It's a very important factor. Congratulations on another job well done.

Feb 29, 2020 10:28 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

It's not and it is so important in any market condition.

Mar 01, 2020 08:22 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I've actually sold homes that were the first one buyers saw.  If I have scheduled a few for their tour, I usually encourage them to see the rest, just to make certain of their choice.

Feb 29, 2020 06:01 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Same here.  In this case, there was no other on the tour that day.  Inventory is that tight.  They loved so they wrote an offer on it.

Mar 01, 2020 08:23 AM