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BUYERS, ARE YOU SWOOPERS OR SLEUTHS?

By
Real Estate Agent with Raleigh Cary Realty NC Broker #178638

 Buyers want to know how many homes they can see in one outing?  Well, that depends.

It depends on how much time we have.  2-3 hours is typical.

It depends on how far apart the homes are.  The more time spent driving between houses, the less time we have to spend inside them.

And it depends on whether you, as buyers, are swoopers or sleuths.

Swoopers know in a minute if the house won't work.  If they hate the kitchen, why go upstairs?  They can be in and out in less time than it took the agent to get the lockbox open.   Of course, if there's a possibility that the house will work, swoopers fold their wings and take a careful look.  But if they know it's a no, they don't linger.

SleuthSleuths probably know the house is a no in the first minute too, but they don't want to be hasty.  Maybe something in the bedrooms or the back yard would make a difference?  They want to be fair to the house, give it a chance.  They open the closets, peer in the garage, admire the fireplace -- in every single house.

There's no right or wrong way to look at houses, but typically swoopers can see more houses per hour than sleuths.  If you know which type you tend to be, let your agent know so he or she can plan accordingly.

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                              Dianne Goode signature   

 

 

 

 

Helping nice people get from where they are to where they want to be.

 

 

Comments(7)

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Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Diane,

We are definitely swoopers.  Ron and I just know.. We have had similar clients in our commercial real estate practice.  They just knew, and what I learned is that I needed to keep asking questions.  I worked with a casting company that was looking at a historical architectural building I was representing.  It took about a half hour over coffee, and I knew the perfect place for them.  A

Jan 22, 2012 05:52 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Craig and I are swooperss too, Dianne. But being in real estate we get to see lots of houses so that helps. I've had many customers that have looked at homes and said okay it's this one. I think a house speaks to people and whatever is said-they hear it.

Jan 22, 2012 09:01 AM
Dianne Goode
Raleigh Cary Realty - Raleigh, NC
Realtor/Broker

Alexandra and Toni, if you've read Malcolm Gladwell's "Blink" (he wrote "The Timming Point"), it explains that with mastery -- which takes about 10,000 hours -- a person develops an intuition that is quicker, and usually more accurate, than rational analysis.  

An agent with lots of experience with houses and clients, naturally becomes a swooper -- but we have to let our clients who are sleuths work find their way around to the same conclusion.

(BTW I recommend all of Gladwell's books.  The third one is "Outliers.")

Jan 22, 2012 09:47 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Dianne - thanks for the info about Gladwell. I'll look for his books. Suggested.

Jan 27, 2012 08:12 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Hi Dianne, This is one of those things we find out early on about buyers whether they are like you said a  sleuth or a swooper, then schedule appointments accordingly.

Gloria

 

Jan 29, 2012 08:54 AM
Dianne Goode
Raleigh Cary Realty - Raleigh, NC
Realtor/Broker

Hi Toni, Suggestion much appreciated!  

Gloria, you are so right! Planning the first outing with new clients you never how how much time to allocate per house.  I've been way off -- both ways!

 

Jan 29, 2012 10:45 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I love your post.  I guess I would be a swooper if looking for a home to purchase.  My experience is about two hours is a good time frame for each tour.  Everybody needs a break for reflection and relaxation after a couple of hours of looking.

Have an outstanding week!

Be sure to  have your camera in hand to capture those special moments as you are out and about in your community and your travels.

Jan 31, 2012 01:14 AM