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The Parents...does it have to be the kiss of death?

By
Real Estate Agent with William Raveis Real Estate

I am in the process of helping a wonderful couple buy a historic home.  All things considered, the home is in amazing condition, and has numerous updates.  On top of that, it was very well priced, and there was a great deal of interest from a large pool of potential buyers.

These clients are grown adults, who have owned homes before, and own one now.  Clearly, not in need of "parental approval".  And yet, like so many of us do, as prospective homeowners, they included their parents in the inspection process for their purchase.

I don't think they will back out of the transaction.  They love the home. It's PERFECT for them.  It is the home that they have looked for, carefully, patiently, for close to 2 years.  However, if it were up to the parents, they wouldn't buy the home.  And the parents have been crystal clear about that.  To anyone who will listen, including the neighbors of the home their children are purchasing!

How do you deal with overbearing parents?  I am fotunate in that my clients are mature enough, and confident enough that while they consider their parents' feelings, they do not rely upon them for decisions.  This time.

I am thinking that "how involved will your parents be in the buying process" will now be one of my questions of prospective clients.

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Mary McCleskey & Michelle Gumeny
Assist-2-Sell, Home Buyers & Sellers Realty, Inc. - Acworth, GA

Oh how we love the parents to be involved :). They are about as fun as having a friend or family member that is an attorney (not a real estate attorney). Makes me crazy!!!!! I wish I had words of advice for you, but I don't. You want to tell them that its not their parents decision and to be adults, but you don't want to upset or offend them. I hope you have a successful closing.

Mary

May 09, 2008 08:22 AM
Associate Broker Falmouth MA Cape Cod Heath Coker
https://teamcoker.robertpaul.com - Falmouth, MA
Heath Coker Berkshire Hathaway HS Robert Paul Prop

I am trying to saty out of my second daughter's college choice.  I hope I can stay out of her real estate purchases enough not to mess up a good buy.

May 09, 2008 08:29 AM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

If parents are causing issues with my buyers I will quietly ask if they are helping with the down payments or going to be partners, depending on the answer I would suggest their adult children have to make up their own mind "don't you think?" a nice way to say butt out.

May 09, 2008 08:36 AM