I'm standing in a house for sale, in a small town between Denver and Boulder (Arvada), with a nice couple, and both of them love it and want it. But they won't write an offer, because they haven't seen enough houses. Someone told them once that you shouldn't write an offer on the first house you see.
Now for the back story - I had already seen every house for sale in Arvada in that price range, and had shown this house to a different couple who didn't buy it because of a very specific issue that most people wouldn't care about. When this couple described their perfect house to me a few days later, I knew this was it, but I worried that it would already be gone. I checked, still available, so off we went!
I can understand how they would feel. But remember - I've already seen all the other houses in the area they want, and I'm telling them this is the best, it has everything they want, in their price range.
But they decide to 'err on the side of caution'. With all the horror stories people hear these days, I again understand how they feel. But - if you're familiar with real estate between Denver and Boulder you already know what's coming - by the time they had convinced themselves it really was 'the one' - it was gone. :-(
If you're the type of home buyer who wants to see every home for sale, and won't trust the word of the real estate agent you've enlisted to help you, that's fine with me. I'll work with you any way you want. I really do enjoy doing my job, and finding your new house with you. I can and will adapt to your house hunting style.
Here's the usual scenario - when you first start looking there are lots of homes for sale that you need to see or somehow eliminate. Usually, we do one or two 'mass' showings, running around to between five and ten homes at a time. Once you've seen a few, you will find yourself eliminating more on paper, without having to actually see them. Then there may be a list you'll want me to preview during the week while you're at work, or do some research on, to get a question or two answered. From then on, there may only be one or two at a time, and when you see 'the one', you'll know!
One last word on this particular story - this couple did find a home they loved at least as much as the first one! It took some time, but they were settled in before the holidays, and that was their goal.
I'm a big believer in not giving up. Whatever route you need/want to take to buying a house, I will stick with you*.
(*As long as it's legal and ethical, of course!)
I write posts on real estate issues and local events in the Denver metro area, especially those *communities between Denver and Boulder, as a public service. My hope is to give people an idea of the 'flavor' of our community, in case they're new or moving to the Denver area.
I am a residential real estate agent, happily helping folks buy a house or sell a house in the beautiful and friendly *suburbs northwest of Denver.
*Arvada, Broomfield, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Westminster; also Thornton, Golden, Wheat Ridge, Northglen, Lakewood
Read more about Arvada Colorado, a historic small between Denver and Boulder.
Find Homes for Sale, no Matter Who Listed Them, on my website.
Copyright © 2011 Joetta Fort
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