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How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?... but Remember We're Just Looking!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. BK629999

How Much is that Doggie in the Window?

Yesterday, my teenage daughters and I were at the mall here in Melbourne Florida.  Our favorite store to stop by is the pet store.  We love to see the new puppy in the window.  Every one of them tugs at our heart strings.

As we were admiring this little American Bulldog, having an adventurous dream, a store employee asked if we needed help.  My quick response was, "No thank you, we're just looking."

Each time we go to the store, we find ourselves 'just looking'.

I  thought of the current real estate market.  Now, more than ever, savvy buyers are spending more time  JUST LOOKING! 

I remember, in the past, we would show a buyer several homes for sale.  They would look at their favorites a second time, and typically within a day or two they'd write an offer to purchase.

Today, that has changed.  Buyers are looking at more homes than ever, that suit their criteria, since the inventory is plentiful.

And, buyers are looking at homes over a longer period of time than in years past.  They may look at a selection of homes over a 3 to 4 week period of time, before making a decision on one to purchase, if they decide to purchase today, at all.

They are also looking at their final choices more than once or twice, before they make their offer.  Sometimes they are going back to look at their final choices three, four and fives times.  Recently, I worked with a smart buyer that looked at two of his favorite home choices six times.  He studied and researched the area and market stats and trends for months before making his final choice.

How Much is that Doggie in the Window?

 

Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Debbie There are a lot of people just looking, and the ones buying are taking alot longer to make a choice today.  Isn't this just the cutest pup?

Nov 08, 2008 08:16 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Michelle, I think there are many things affecting people's decision to purchase today or to wait.  I agree that it is media driven, consumer confidence is low (probably because of bad media info), loans are a bit tougher to get and people are scared. They don't know if they should buy or wait. Is the market continuing downward or are we at the bottom?  They have seen the mistakes of past buyers.  I think some are just paralzyed by fear. Thanks for the feedback!

Nov 08, 2008 08:20 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Angelia, Hmmm, you commented that everyone is a buyer...I have to think on that one...not sure I completely agree on that one.  However, I do agree that they must, in fact, qualify to be a bonafide buyer. Thanks for the different perspective!

Nov 08, 2008 08:22 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Ann, I have to admit, we do have a weakness for the adorable puppies in the pet store window.  But, we have an adorable pup at home.  I think today buyers are taking time to look because they have that luxury and they want to be absolutely certain they make the most informed decision.  I also think some are a bit leary of what the future holds for the  market.  And only time will tell on that one! Have a relaxing weekend!

Nov 08, 2008 08:25 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Gayle, I have a dog at home, a beautiful purebred boxer that I purchased from a private breeder 4 years ago.  We will not be bringing another dog into our home anytime soon.

Nov 08, 2008 08:28 AM
Stephen Kappre
KW Hometown - Mantua, NJ
Helping You Home

I find the same thing as a lender - people look for MONTHS.  I used to pre-approve them and they'd be under contract in a week-two.  I estimate I need about 5x as many prospects to mount to what I closed before. 

Nov 08, 2008 08:29 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Steve, We are hearing the same things here from lenders.  People are taking their time to make the right home choice.  I remember when buyers would choose a house in the first 3 days they were out looking.  Times have changed and so has the large inventory of homes for sale!

Nov 08, 2008 08:31 AM
Konnie Mac McCarthy
MacNificent Properties, LLC - Cobb Island, MD
Broker/Owner - VA & MD "Time To Get A Move On!"

I have a buyer, a very nice fellow who is kiling me....he looks at homes, spends about a half an hour in each house, and then when he write a contract it is full of every contingency, low offer...and he says if they don't take it there are others....ahhhhhh.....

Nov 08, 2008 08:48 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Konnie, We all get them and must be patient.  But is he serious about buying something or is he just trying to "steal" something?  I think that sometimes we must review the situation and often times we have to cut our losses if we think that it will never turn into a sale.  Hard to do, but sometimes necessary.  Best wishes to you and I hope it works out well for both of you!  Take care and know that you're doing a good job!  It's often a necessary evil in this crazy business of ours!

Nov 08, 2008 08:55 AM
Fred Chamberlin
Guild Mortgage Co - Oak Harbor WA - Oak Harbor, WA
Oak Harbor/Whidbeynulls, #1 Experienced FHA Mortgage Consultant

Hi Sandy - I think as the market starts to firm, people are going to find that they won't have time for 6 looks. We are all looking forward to that time....it is coming.

Nov 08, 2008 08:59 AM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Sandy,

Yes only time will tell.  But in the meantime, some of the buyers are losing out some really good deals...

Ann

Nov 08, 2008 09:12 AM
Marie Meyer
Keller Williams Realty - Central Valley, NY
Orange County New York Realtor

Definitely, Sandy.  Showing homes to buyers has become a long drawn out process.  I think there is a difference between smart/serious buyers and those who are dreaming and wasting my time.  Lot's of dreamers out there.

That pup is adorable.  I succumbed to a doggie in the window once, and he was one terrific dog.  Everyone told me that I made a mistake and should havegone to a breeder.  Fortunately, they were wrong.

Nov 08, 2008 09:18 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Fred, I think you're right.  Now buyers have the luxury of looking at a house many times before they buy it.  That was not the case in the past, and it will not be the case in the future,  However, I just don't know how far away that future is. Take care!

Nov 08, 2008 09:23 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Ann, I think that there are some good deals out there, and I have seen many taking advantage of them.  I suppose that the ones losing out on them will eventually learn after they miss one or two that they must move more quickly.  I had a customer that came to me because he got outbid on a foreclosure.  So, he asked to work with me. I told him that some of those homes were really good deals and he must move quickly on those.  He made another offer on another foreclosure, and I told him I thought he may be a bit low.  He lost that home to another buyer. On the third home (2nd with me) he was very aggressive and ready to get it and he did! He is the proud owner of a beautiful home!

Nov 08, 2008 09:28 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Marie, GOOD POINT! There are buyers and there are dreamers - you are so right!  And some will waste your time and we must all be very cautious of them!  So glad to hear that your pup in the window turned out to be a great dog! 

Nov 08, 2008 09:30 AM
Brenda Carus
Century 21 Zwygart Real Estate - Monroe, WI

Adorable puppy, and I think buyers are spending more time looking too.  Around here, they think they can find killer deals because the national media keeps saying how bad the real estate market is.  Too bad the national media doesn't know our market, where home prices have actually risen slightly.

Nov 08, 2008 09:30 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Brenda, This pup was such a cutie!  Buyers are taking much more time looking. I think we all must be cautious of the info coming from the media.  Buyers and sellers should be talking to REALTORS in their area to find out where the market is heading!  Wow, you've seen a slight rise in prices.  We are still seeing slight declines.  Thanks for stopping by!

Nov 08, 2008 09:33 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Sandy, Great post what a good way to segway into your post. Who hasn't looked in the pet store window across America. I don't get the lookie loos I use to, the clients today are much more focused... 

Nov 10, 2008 02:03 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Paul, You know I would have to say that I really don't have the looky loos too much anymore either. And I do agreee that clients are much more focused knowing exactly what they want, however they are taking much, much, much longer to make a decision on the home they are going to buy.  Thanks for the compliment! Always so nice to hear from you!

Nov 10, 2008 08:21 AM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Sandy,

I have had a few buyers that waited a little too long and missed out but I always told them:  everything happens for a reason.  I truly believe that statement.

Thanks for being there,

Ann

Nov 10, 2008 11:05 AM