Special offer

Ask Yourself One Question: Are You Ready?

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President

You've got your checklist!You've prepared yourself for your home search and think you know what you want.  You've been watching the market for some time now and following prices, trends, and available homes.  You've done your research by reading Blog Articles for Buyers.

 

 

 

Taking the next step, you've outlined your criteria for your next home.  Not just your price range, location, beds and baths, but much, much more.  Down to the nitty-gritty.  You have your specific list of wants and needs.  Whether it's abundant closet space, cathedral ceilings, granite counters, hardwood floors, or proximity to your favorite restaurant, you've got it figured out.

 

 

 

Congratulations, you're approved for your mortgage loan!  You meet with your trusted Northern Virginia REALTOR to get the process started and begin looking at homes.

 

 

 

Now, it's time to ask yourself one question:

ARE YOU READY?

Ready, Set, Go!

Check, Check, Check!

 

 

If you found a home today that matched all of your criteria including your price range, would you be ready to make an offer and write a check? (Don't forget to Bring Your Checkbook With You on Your Househunt).  As I've written before, Real Estate is a Process of Elimination.  It's fairly easy to narrow down your search and focus in on the properties that will work.

 

 

 

The question is -- when you see that right home, are you ready to buy it?  If so, great!  It's time to move on to the next stage of the homebuying process.  Contract & negotiation.  Luckily you hired a great negotiator.

 

 

 

 

 

If you are not ready, why not?

  • Are you worried that there's a better home out there that you haven't seen yet?
  • Are you still hesitant about your decision to buy?
  • What's holding you back?

Northern Virginia homes are still selling and not staying on the market forever.  You can be patient in your home search, but just remember that the good ones go fast.  Chances are if you like it, so does someone else.

Make sure you ask yourself if you are ready.  You need to be honest with yourself and your REALTOR.

If you know you are ready, willing, and able, contact me today and we'll find that right home together.

Neal Bloom
Brokered by eXp Realty LLC - Weston, FL
Realtor CRS-Weston FL Real Estate

Brian,

Good check list...now let the buyer step up to the plate.

May 29, 2008 12:21 AM
Lizette Fitzpatrick
Lizette Realty - Richmond KY - Lexington, KY
Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes

I need to print this to hand to my clients! It kills me when I have found the perfect house that fills all there needs and desires and they don't put an offer on it. Then it goes away and I have to find a replacement. Arrrgh!!!!!

May 29, 2008 12:23 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Good lict. With the inventory out there I can see where they wonder if there is not a better one!

May 29, 2008 12:31 AM
Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist
Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC

Hi Brian,
I like the way you presented this and I agree with Lizette.  Why spend all that time and energy looking if you are prepared to make the offer when you find "the right one"? 

May 29, 2008 12:39 AM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Too many time the buyer thinks they need to see everything on the market and then get information overload and can't make a decision The research on line is so important today good checklist.

May 29, 2008 01:43 AM
Rosario Lewis
DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY
GRI, SRES - DDR Realty - Orange County, NY

Sometimes there is a difference between the dream and the reality. Purchasing property is a big deal, so be sure it's what you want to do.

May 29, 2008 05:56 AM
Jeremy Blanton
Myrtle Beach Homes Blog - Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach REALTOR®- myrtlebeachhomesblog.com

Great Piece Brian...that is the million dollar question for buyers....

May 29, 2008 06:01 AM
Lisa Ryan
Callaway Henderson Sotheby's International Realty - Montgomery, NJ
Selling Princeton,West Windsor and Montgomery Town

Great post Brian.   We all go through those periods when we feel like we are spinning our wheels and getting no where with the buyers.   The buyers that have the extensive wants and needs lists and that are insisting on perfection are the ones that will be around until we cut them off.

May 29, 2008 03:34 PM
Stephen Adams
Keller Williams Realty - Leesburg, VA

Good job, Brian.  It seems to me that some buyers (certainly not all) are waiting for even more homes to choose from .  I wonder how long it would take to see 3,000 homes (Loudoun County has way over that much right now)  with a buyer/couple.  Wow, how many gas tanks would that fill?  Perhaps I could put down "a set of 4 new tires" as a retainer fee? LOL

May 29, 2008 05:22 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

NEAL:  Thanks.  Some buyers just have a difficult time with this question.

Jun 02, 2008 12:25 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

LIZETTE:  It can turn into a vicious cycle of never-ending showings if you don't do something about it.  Feel free to print and distribute.

Jun 02, 2008 12:26 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

GARY:  It's a fear that some buyers have about missing that next better one.

Jun 02, 2008 12:26 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

CYNTHIA:  Thanks for your comment.  I appreciate you reading and sharing your thoughts.

Jun 02, 2008 12:27 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

TERRY:  Fortunately many buyers do narrow down the homes online before having to go out and look at the homes.  The Internet really helps put less mileage on our cars.

Jun 02, 2008 12:28 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

ROSARIO:  Good thoughts.  Thanks for your comment.

Jun 02, 2008 12:28 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

JEREMY:  Thanks for your comment and compliment.

Jun 02, 2008 12:29 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

LISA:  Sometimes all the client needs is a little helpful push in the right direction.  Not so much a push, but really a nudge.

Jun 02, 2008 12:29 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

STEPHEN:  Yes, gas and wear and tear on the car is always a concern.

Jun 02, 2008 12:30 AM