In Praise of a First-Time Buyer

The Just Ducky Homes Team enjoyed the culmination of a great buying experience this week when one of our clients closed on his new home.

Helping first-time homebuyers realize their dream of home ownership is one of my favorite things. They're almost always excited, sincere, a little scared and very grateful to have someone on their side during the process. It makes me feel good to provide counsel and guidance to someone just starting out and to look out for their interests in locating the right property and negotiating the purchase.

That said, my most recent buyer client was a standout among standouts. We first met when he called with a request to look at a house that ultimately didn't meet his needs.  So we had a detailed chat about what he really wanted in a new home, including specific locations to minimize his commute, the style of construction he preferred and the price range in which he was comfortable.

He took advice seriously, obtained his pre-approval for a conventional loan in a snap (he had amassed a nice downpayment amount) and without kissing too many housing frogs, we found just the right place.

Playing his negotiating cards close to the vest and remaining unemotional about the outcome, we went in low -- but not insultingly so -- on the target house and lightening struck:  His offer caught the seller's high motivation at the right arc and a deal was done without a counter.

Inspections were clean, his loan committment came through just fine and when we closed this week on his lovely open-floor-plan ranch I told him how happy I was to have met such a focused and responsible young guy. He's modest and not the type to take praise very well, but I meant every word. Great job!

No two deals are alike, but if you're in the market for a new home of your own, give me a call, text or e-mail.  Having the right kind of communication at the beginning of a buyer/Realtor relationship can make all the difference in creating a happy outcome just like this for you.

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About the Author: Nancy Milton, GRI, is a Realtor with the Just Ducky Homes team at Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors in Edwardsville, Illinois. She and Kristina Pratt help their customers buy and sell homes and investment properties in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs of Madison and St. Clair counties with special emphasis on real estate in the communities of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Collinsville and Troy. For more information, visit their web site at http://www.JustDuckyHomes.com or e-mail Nancy@JustDuckyHomes.com.