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How not to let stress be your home-buying guide.

By Andrea Bedard

Real Estate Agent with Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 MD594797

January 17, 2022 05:43 PM

Sometimes, well okay, often, I think about how lucky I am to be doing what I do. I feel so much joy when my clients choose me, find the one, get the one, and close on the one! It never gets old.

The home buying process is a journey, a discovery, with a few surprises along the way. Sometimes this journey takes a bit longer. Sometimes this journey involves sudden pit stops or takes an unexpected detour, or evolves to a different destination. All of this is okay. I have never been one to rush the process, and firmly believe in making educated, prepared choices... especially when the market is as hot as it is now.

This market is a tough one to navigate, for repeat buyers, move-up buyers, and first time buyers alike. It seems like the big jump in interest rates has brought out ALL the buyers, the ones who gave up last year, the ones who are just starting out, the ones who had planned to buy next year.

Suddenly, after a misleading "slow-down" (really, just seasonality, same phenomenon, different year), the market is buzzing with activity. Appointment slots are booked up quickly, front doors are revolving, competition is fierce. All that can lead to stress, pressure to step out of one's comfort zone, to buy anything just to finally close.

This is not how this journey should play out.

It doesn't matter how crazy the market is, let's not allow stress to dictate your choices. Stress leads to mistakes and I certainly don't want to help anyone buy a mistake. According to a poll conducted by bankrate in May of 2021, 64% of millennial homebuyers had regrets. Let that sink in. Sixty-four percent.

I don't want my buyers to be counted in such a statistic. It's okay to pass on a house when something just feels off. I am here to remind you to not allow stress to be your home-buying guide. We'll make sure to stay grounded, and take the time to prepare properly. We'll consider all options and different choices and only move forward when it's the right move. Then, and only then, should you make an offer that leaves you with no regrets.

The right house will come along. The right house will work out. That's a promise.

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Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Andrea - love your post!!! And that statistic -64% of millennial homebuyers had regrets- is sad. Yes, it's easy to feel stressed when everything and everyone is telling you that you need to be prepared to make a decision NOW. Buyers are lucky to have you as an agent.

Jan 17, 2022 05:57 PM

Andrea Bedard

Silver Spring, MD

Andrea Bedard

Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD

Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

Thank you Kathy Streib! I definitely don't want my buyers to be part of such a sad statistic. It's too easy to get caught up in the frenzy! It's really important to stay grounded to be able to make the right choice. Sometimes it takes a while, but we always find the one in the end!

Jan 17, 2022 06:25 PM

Endre Barath, Jr.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA

Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Andrea great advice my take is good Realtors manage the expectations of the buyers and sellers..... instead of the clients stressing I do the stressing:)Endre

Jan 17, 2022 06:49 PM

Andrea Bedard

Silver Spring, MD
Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Andrea Bedard

Yes Endre Barath, Jr.! Quietly, in my office, or on the phone with my broker. But experience has taught us that we are resilient, resourceful and ready to get things done!

Jan 19, 2022 10:06 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Good morning, Andrea... Endre Barath, Jr. stole the words right out of my keyboard! One thing I tell all my clients is that there is always a door out there with their name on it, we just need to find it, and that sometimes it takes a little longer to do so.

Jan 18, 2022 03:24 AM

Andrea Bedard

Silver Spring, MD
Endre Barath, Jr.

Beverly Hills, CA

Andrea Bedard

I love that Nina Hollander, Broker and wholeheartedly agree, there's a door for any buyer (who is realistic and prepared)!

Jan 19, 2022 10:07 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Andrea - buying (or selling) real estate can be challenging anytime but especially when things may be more than a bit challenging. Familiarity with the market helps. Being well-prepared for the process does as well. Maintaining awareness too. Each is a part of the bigger picture.

Jan 18, 2022 03:53 AM

Andrea Bedard

Silver Spring, MD

Andrea Bedard

I am huge on preparing Michael Jacobs. It's time-consuming in the beginning - I insist on reading and understanding all the necessary docs before we even discuss an offer - but it pays off so many times. When we've found great option, then we are ready to act quickly.

Jan 19, 2022 10:09 AM

Kat Palmiotti

eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT

Helping your Montana dreams take root

Stress gets in the way of a smooth and enjoyable journey. If there's something to get stressed about, it's up to us to share the message and next steps calmly.

Jan 18, 2022 05:07 AM

Andrea Bedard

Silver Spring, MD

Andrea Bedard

It does get in the way Kat Palmiotti. It's important to me that my buyers understand the process, all their options of improving an offer, and that they are in the right frame of mind to enter a bidding war, and either come out victoriously or prepared to move on - with no (or maybe, little) regrets.

Jan 19, 2022 10:12 AM

Joan Cox

House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO

Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Andrea, love your post, and all your posts ooze with gratitude for what you do! KUDOS!

Jan 18, 2022 03:25 PM

Andrea Bedard

Silver Spring, MD

Andrea Bedard

Thank you so much Joan Cox, I appreciate the kudos!

Jan 19, 2022 10:12 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Jan 22, 2022 05:49 PM

Ray Henson

Elk Grove, CA
Andrea Bedard

Silver Spring, MD

Andrea Bedard

Thank you Kathy Streib !! I was out and about with awesome buyer clients yesterday and working on an offer that will leave them with no regrets!

Jan 23, 2022 10:40 AM

Wayne Martin

Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL

Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Andrea. Controlling stress of the buyers is a difficult task. Buyers with the patience to choose wisely are rare! Enjoy your day

Jan 23, 2022 05:06 AM

Andrea Bedard

Silver Spring, MD

Andrea Bedard

Thank you Wayne Martin! It's too easy to get caught up in a bidding frenzy. We must be a voice of reason.

Jan 23, 2022 10:41 AM

Grant Schneider

Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY

Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Andrea - that is really a dramatic statistic. Your buyers are very lucky to have you as their trusted advisor.

Jan 23, 2022 05:09 AM

Andrea Bedard

Silver Spring, MD

Andrea Bedard

It is quite the number that definitely made me pause. This is just not how the home buying experienced should end, especially not the first time around. Thank you very much Grant Schneider!

Jan 23, 2022 10:42 AM

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT

Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Buyers do get themselves into a panic mode and that's when they overreact. Thier wish list needs some flexibility an even location if they are getting priced out of a market they want. Time does flee but being grounded needs to take a priority.

Jan 23, 2022 05:45 AM

Andrea Bedard

Silver Spring, MD

Andrea Bedard

When panic sets in, it's time to hit the pause button! We cannot make the best decisions when stressed. Flexibility is key, especially in this market. It can open up (many more) options.

Jan 23, 2022 10:49 AM

Anna "Banana" Kruchten

HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ

602-380-4886

Hi Andrea so so true! On occasion first time buyers do get stressed out and that's when it's time to sit down and get things back on track and make it a fun and enjoyable process. I've had a few seasoned buyers this year moving from out of state that were a tad stressed as our market is so fast paced and crazy. I had said on more than one occasion.....it will all work out fine. Trust. And it all did.

Jan 23, 2022 09:46 AM

Andrea Bedard

Silver Spring, MD

Andrea Bedard

Trust! So important Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, Phoenix Broker! Trust the process and the awesome team selected who are working together to get the house under contract and to the closing table.

I do want to get a giant "pause" button, like the "easy" one!

Jan 23, 2022 10:52 AM

Doug Dawes

Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA

Your Personal Realtor®

Hello Andrea Bedard

Emotion plays a huge part in buyer & seller psyches. That's where we come in, imho e.g. to help them overcome the emotion

Jan 23, 2022 10:12 AM

Andrea Bedard

Silver Spring, MD

Andrea Bedard

I agree Doug Dawes, a voice of reason. Sometimes it's also important to point out that a house may not be the right one. Just because options are so limited does not mean a buyer should pursue the not-quite-right-one.

Jan 23, 2022 10:53 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Andrea:

I love this post, and you make so many good points. It's a tough market and one that causes plenty of frustration and anxiety. And that can lead to mistakes or errors in judgement. Part of our role is to make sure buyer decisions are informed and educated ones, and to set realistic expectations.

Jeff

Jan 23, 2022 05:11 PM

Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ

HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Very true! Problem solving under stressful situations leads to mistakes and regrets. Great post!

Jan 24, 2022 11:06 AM

Ray Henson

eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA

Realtor

Great post! Sometimes, the stress of a market like we are experiencing can lead to a bad decision. Kudos to you for helping your clients stay patient and make the right choice.

Jan 25, 2022 02:12 PM