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I Like My Homes Extra Crispy. Here in Charlotte many things allude to the beauty of Fried Chicken

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Homes By Cross, Inc.

Here in Charlotte, we are in the land of the Chicken, and the home of the Bojangles(r)... extra crispy matters. But to what measure? Who said fried food is bad for you? And who said bigger isn't better. Jumbo size me !

Buying big was everything. I’ve been told (and have been marketed) for years that this is what we want. I gotta, wanna, needa have a big home.

I'm not unique. I feel the want for the jumbo bucket, not the modest boxed lunch.

Buying and savoring homes on a strained wallet leads to a badly planned purchase. (and a trip to Mr. Indigestion).

The reason I write this is to point out the difference in what people have been told they want, and what they really need.

Everybody in the home buying process wants a home that suits their needs, but has been told they desire a jumbo size bucket. You know…The one that rolls over your lips and smacks of mmm…mmm…good, until you explode.  Nobody wants a brussels sprout and liver sandwich.

But it's true that we could be nicely satisfied on a normal sized portion.

I use your savory senses to allude to part of the Thanksgiving season that says eat more than you should. And to point out that the lure of what you can, and can’t afford and consume, is a point taken for all seasons.

Jumping into a home to become mortgage poor is no longer considered a red badge of courage. It’s a dunce cap with a scarlet letter. 

(I bow and take exception to the unemployed)

So the question of present buyers marches on :  How do I know if my tastes fit my budget?  And where do I start when buying a home?

It's easy ! and it's best to start with a mortgage professional to understand what you can afford, and what makes sense.  You have a part in this "makes sense" process.

Have you made your shopping list? Do you know what to avoid while staying within your budget?  I hope so, because, buying a home has a similarity to going to the grocery store.

Don’t let your eyes get bigger than your stomach.

Charlotte Homes Falling into foreclosures

 

 

 

 

Comments (12)

Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Absolutely right, Claude.  This is why we are in the mess we are in.  Too much chicken!

Nov 23, 2009 12:32 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Claude...

I like this analogy but now I'm hungry for chicken!

Nov 23, 2009 12:46 PM
Claude Cross
Homes By Cross, Inc. - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Homes For Sale
Nov 23, 2009 12:51 PM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

I don't usually eat fried food, but I'm craving it now.  You had me from "extra crispy"....YUM!

Nov 24, 2009 01:17 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

Too many people focus on what they want and are not reasonable about what they truly need. I have see many people get themselves in trouble doing just that.

Nov 24, 2009 01:59 AM
Claude Cross
Homes By Cross, Inc. - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Homes For Sale

Ann - Ha ! You had me from "extra crispy".. Well At least the title was effective. Cheers and have a great Thanksgiving

Nov 24, 2009 05:01 AM
Claude Cross
Homes By Cross, Inc. - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Homes For Sale

JL - Absolutely your point on distinguishing a need from a want.  I Always appreciate your comments

Nov 24, 2009 05:03 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Claude, Makes sense to me - and it's so important that people evaluate their wants and needs and budget before their home search. As for food - extra crispy is so tempting compared to plain and broiled :-)

Happy Thanksgiving Claude

Nov 24, 2009 03:24 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I can't count the times that a few years ago I took buyers out that had beer goggles on when they went shopping on. I knew they would get approved, but didn't realize they couldn't really afford. These people would go out and look at these huge homes that they wanted, but way more than they needed. I think your advice is dead on and buyers need to start looking for what they need and not what they want.

 Todd Clark - www.LivingBeaverton.com

Nov 24, 2009 04:09 PM
Claude Cross
Homes By Cross, Inc. - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Homes For Sale

Mary - An honest evaluation of affordavility is paramount . BTW we are frying a turkey tomorrow...extra crispy

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours

Nov 25, 2009 03:03 AM
Claude Cross
Homes By Cross, Inc. - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Homes For Sale

Todd - I remember the feeding frenzy of a couple years ago as you do. Hopefully todays buyers bring more need than want in choosing a home.  Happy Thanksgiving

Nov 25, 2009 03:08 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Claude, I agree buyers eyes are bigger than their stomachs in some cases.  This is a great analogy.

Nov 25, 2009 04:31 AM