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Hammer or Screwdriver?

By
Real Estate Agent with Providence Group Realty 0664947

Many times a client will ask, Sam would you buy this house? This reminds me of one of the lessons a client shared. The question was asked, what's better a hammer or a screwdriver? Really, which one is better??? He explained, it depends on what you're trying to do. A hammer makes a terrible screwdriver and a screwdriver makes a lousy hammer. It depends on your objective.

The same is true when buying a house. It depends if you're buying an investment or buying a personal home.

As an investment, we are really scrutinizing equity capture, rent levels in the local area, return on investment, etc. As a personal home, the focus shifts to functionality for family, how does it make me feel, can I fall in love, colors, etc. Two very, very different purposes that end up placing a dollar value on the same bricks and sticks.

Would I buy this home? Great question... which is better a hammer or screwdriver?

 

#samthomasrealestateboss

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

and welcome to ActiveRain....it's a great place to learn, share, market and network....and I hope you enjoy and benefit from all of it....

Apr 23, 2016 09:15 PM
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Coldwell Banker Realty

Welcome to Active Rain Sam Thomas!  As REALTORS® who have been here for more than 9 years, it's well worth it!

Apr 23, 2016 09:58 PM
Sam Thomas

Thank you for the encouragement Tony and Suzanne!

Apr 29, 2016 12:41 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Good analogy Sam!  What good for me isn't necessarily good for you and vice versa.  

Welcome to the world of Active Rain blogging. You'll find a lot of great marketing blog posts on this site.  It is an extremely valuable platform to connect with other agents and potential clients.  I recommend you check out the "Resources" section and click on "Getting Started".

Apr 24, 2016 12:55 AM
Sam Thomas

Thank you for the advice Carol! Will do.

Apr 29, 2016 12:42 AM
IRMA Beltran
Century 21 M & M and Associates-Turlock homes Real Estate - Turlock, CA
Your Real Estate Agent 4 Life Always there 4 You!

Welcome to Active Rain! Great 1st blog.

Have a Wonderful Blessed Day!!!

Apr 24, 2016 02:39 AM
Sam Thomas

Thank you Irma; appreciate it!

Apr 29, 2016 12:43 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for sharing.

Apr 24, 2016 04:43 AM
Sam Thomas

Gita, thank you for your encouragement!

Apr 29, 2016 12:43 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Sam, we do get this question on occasion, and it isn't up to us --- it is THEIR home, their decision!  GREAT first post, and look forward to more!  Welcome to ActiveRain!

Apr 24, 2016 09:37 AM
Sam Thomas

Your're right Joan; it's tough not to be biased. Thanks for reaching out!

Apr 29, 2016 12:44 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Welcome to ActiveRain, and you are right - buying a specific home all depends on the objective.

Apr 24, 2016 08:41 PM
Sam Thomas

Thank you Kat! Have a great day!

Apr 29, 2016 12:45 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Good analogy Sam!

Welcome to Active Rain, looking forward to reading many more of your posts, let me know if there is anything that I can do to help as you get started here.
Bob

Apr 25, 2016 10:47 AM
Sam Thomas

Bob thank you for the support!

Apr 29, 2016 12:45 AM
Sharon Kowitz
CRS-SRES-ABR-GRI-E-Pro-CREN ~ COMPASS RE - Cary, NC
Cary, NC Relocation Specialist ~ Buying or Selling

Welcome to Active Rain and congratulations on your first post! Great comparison!

Apr 25, 2016 02:51 PM
Sam Thomas

Sharon! Thanks for taking the time to connect. I appreciate it!

Apr 29, 2016 12:46 AM
Mery Fernandez Empire Network Realty Luxury Brokerage
Empire Network Realty INC. - Orlando, FL
The Rise of An Empire, Let's Build Yours!

Hi Sam! Welcome to the world of Activerain, may your blogging  create a whole new chapter in your Real Estate Career.

Apr 26, 2016 12:02 AM
Sam Thomas

Mery, thank you for your support and encouragement!

Apr 29, 2016 12:47 AM
John Mosier
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ
Prescott's Patriot Agent 928 533-8142

Welcome to ActiveRain, Sam Thomas. Great analogy!  

To springboard from that, we need a box full of  real estate tools so that we can cover any circumstance that may arise.

Apr 26, 2016 04:51 AM
Sam Thomas

I completely agree John!!

Apr 29, 2016 12:47 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Welcome to ActiveRain Sam!  Congratulations on your post being Featured. Keep writing posts.  Remember we are here to help if you need it. 

Apr 26, 2016 06:01 AM
Sam Thomas

Thank you Kathleen!

Apr 29, 2016 12:48 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Welcome to Active Rain Sam Thomas , I would take the hammer. 

Apr 26, 2016 08:17 AM
Sam Thomas

Good choice Scott! 50% of the time; it works every time. ;-) have a great day!

Apr 29, 2016 12:49 AM
Mike Wong
Keller Williams Realty Southwest - Sugar Land, TX
Realtor: Commercial, Residential, Leasing, Invest

Welcome to ActiveRain and great topic for a first post. I think we have to evaluate our clients to determine their goals. Of course a personal home is going to be under more scrutiny. However investors can be just as selective as well. For example on my investment properties I would not buy anything I would not personally live in. That rule has created a nice porfolio for me that appreciated rapidly over the past 3 years. It has also kept me from making risky investments just because of price or potential. 

Apr 26, 2016 09:04 AM
Sam Thomas

Great advice Mike, thank you!

Apr 29, 2016 12:50 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Good one, Sam and welcome to ActiveRain.  It's so important to remember that the decision rests with the buyer who will have their own reasons for buying the house. 

Apr 26, 2016 10:03 AM
Sam Thomas

Very TRUE Kathy! Thank you!

Apr 29, 2016 12:50 AM
Nancy Robinson Ranked #6 in MI
Century 21 Town and Country - Royal Oak, MI
#11 Century21 Realtor in the US, #16 in the World

WELCOME TO THE SITE!  You will find many others thoughtful of others like you are who are always willing to share. Just  reach out whenever you need/ want  help and  friendship are only a few key strokes away.  

Apr 26, 2016 11:40 AM
Sam Thomas

Thank you for the nice welcome Nancy!

Apr 29, 2016 12:51 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Welcome to ActiveRain Sam Thomas .

This is The Best place to learn, share and build relationships with like-minded professionals.

Apr 26, 2016 02:34 PM
Sam Thomas

Awesome! Thank you Praful!

Apr 29, 2016 12:51 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Isn't it so true - two different buyers have different take on the same home?

Apr 26, 2016 02:35 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

If I had to choose, I'd take the screwdriver because you can use the handle as a hammer, but there is no way in hell you can use a hammer for a screwdriver. I know that's not what you really asking, though.

Apr 27, 2016 12:48 AM
Sam Thomas

Thank you Elizabeth. I know what you mean. :-)

Apr 29, 2016 12:53 AM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

First of all welcome to the Rain.  I carry both so I'm prepared to tackle any job that comes along.

Apr 27, 2016 10:13 PM
Sam Thomas

Thank James! Being prepared is KEY!

Apr 29, 2016 12:53 AM