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Understanding that everyone’s “little piece of heaven” is different.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

Understanding that everyone’s “little piece of heaven” is different.One of the most basic tenets of real estate is that each and every parcel is absolutely unique. No two pieces of real estate are exactly alike.

Equally important is the fact that each individual’s housing preference is also formulated based of their particular needs and wants. More often than not, these are vastly different from our own subjective ideal.

As a result matching each unique buyer with their own “little piece of heaven” can be a daunting task.

And before you can lead them to the promised land, you have to know where it is!

Comments (23)

James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

In this business it is always good to keep in mind your clients tastes are not going to be yours. I have found give advice, but be careful when giving an opinion. 

Sep 26, 2012 10:35 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Life would be boring if we all had the same likes, wants, and needs.  As Realtors, our most important skills are listening to our clients and understanding their like, wants, and needs.

Sep 26, 2012 10:37 PM
Michael J. Gallo
Florida Luxury Realty - New Port Richey, FL
Florida Luxury Realty - Gulf Home Sales Team

Richard - I was taught to "ask questions to understand" what the buyer says they want may mean something different to me.  Like "On the water"...I run to the Gulf of Mexico homes and they may mean a lake of river front.  Ask Questions to Understand.   Great Post.  Simple and Direct. 

Sep 26, 2012 10:39 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Andy...

And that's what keeps this job interesting! Thanks so much.

Winston...

That's actually quite profound. Thanks for jumping in.

Debbie...

It's easy to lose sight of the mission, isn't it? Thanks for the support.

James...

Very well said. So simple and so true! THX.

Sharon...

That's what we do! Thanks for adding to the conversation.

Sep 26, 2012 10:41 PM
Dana Scanlon
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Bethesda, MD
Bethesda MD- Award-Winning Bethesda Realtor

Richard: Thanks for this reflection. This is an important message for realtors to not lose sight of.

Sep 26, 2012 10:46 PM
First Last name
Keller Williams Preffered - Raleigh, NC

So very true. thanks for sharing!

Sep 26, 2012 10:53 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Richard- I've always said you have to know what a person needs and wants before you can tell them you can help them. 

Sep 26, 2012 10:58 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Richard,

This is an excellent message..if you don't ask the right questions and understand what the buyer is looking for you will be spinning a lot of wheels unnecessarily.

Sep 26, 2012 10:59 PM
Rhonda Duffy
Duffy Realty of Atlanta & Rainmaker Realty - Milton, GA
#1 Retail Listing Agent in the U.S.

What a great post to read first thing this morning. So true- thank you for sharing

Sep 26, 2012 11:19 PM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Very true....

Sep 26, 2012 11:29 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Richard, And also a reason for us often to keep it zipped when we're showing properties.  What we personally can't stand might be right in their sweet spot.

Sep 27, 2012 12:26 AM
David Grbich
Realty One Group - www.FindCARealEstate.com - San Juan Capistrano, CA
Orange County Real Estate - 949-500-0484

Great points - each buyer has different needs and different from our own views of what their piece of heaven should look like. Regards Dave

Sep 27, 2012 12:58 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I find settling expectations when buyers hear so much about how awful the market is and how low home prices are is crucial to making that match.  Started working with a buyer a year ago and found him several homes that would've been perfect for him....except he thought they were priced too high and thought, somehow, in a market with not enough inventory for all the buyers, that prices would drop.  Needless to say, he may have found several pieces of heaven that worked for him, but was too full of national and inaccurate real estate news to do anything about it.

Sep 27, 2012 01:14 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Richard - You're right, and it ain't always easy. Every once in a while, we list a property that's completely unique (read "weird") and console ourselves with the hope that somewhere out there, there has to be someone with taste similar to the current owner.

Sep 27, 2012 02:09 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

It is where "service" begins... I love talking with my clients about this and ask them frequently about the conversation they have with their buyers... "What do they want?" And, what's their conversation with about the home they want. Ironically, agents do get a lot of mixed messages like, "I want to big yard. But I don't like yard work." And, "I want a big house... (you guessed it) but I don't like housework." It was different a number of years ago when homes were appreciating. Buy the biggest most expensive home you can afford because it will be worth more tomorrow. As much as I dream about a big house, I'm comfortable and enjoy my condo. I wish I had a big yard so I could grow a garden, but when would I do that? I'd probably have to give up blogging. So I go to the Farmers Market, take pictures, then come home and write about it. Great read! Thanks...

Sep 27, 2012 03:06 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Richard it's called ask questions and LISTEN to what they're telling you!  What I prefer may not be what others prefer and that's why there is so much variety.

Sep 27, 2012 04:16 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Richard, very true, I've learned a long time ago to keep my mouth shut when it comes to "judge" a piece of property or home, it doesn't matter what I like, it only matters what the buyer likes. 

Sep 27, 2012 04:32 AM
Jordon Wheeler
The Jordon Wheeler Group - Fairburn, GA
J W Group Real Estate Sales and Service

Hey Richard,

Your post reminds me of something my mom used to say when we were growing up. "If God created us all alike, we could just go live together under a tent."  Yes each buyer is unique in their needs and wants, and a skilled agent will listen very carefully.

Best of success to you this year!

Sep 27, 2012 06:53 AM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Richard, I wish it were easier than it has become...i have clients that can not figure out at all what they want right now so I do feel that we will hibernate between us for the winter nap!

Sep 27, 2012 10:13 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I am so very glad about thawt, otherwise there would be way to many people in MY woods andd on MY lakes!

Sep 27, 2012 10:47 AM