As most people know, the
real estate market shifts between a buyers' or sellers' market, depending on
supply and demand. However, regardless of which market we're currently in,
buyer etiquette can help you get the home you want with the least amount of
stress.
It may sound odd to
some, especially first-time homebuyers, but manners matter when it comes to the
real estate transaction. I'm not talking about "Please" and
"Thank you." So, what exactly does this mean?
Buyer etiquette is not
only about doing the things that are vital to helping sales go through but it's
also about general manners like being on time for your viewing of a home, being
prepared with your financial documents, and being responsive when requests for
documents, signatures, or answers are needed from your real estate
professionals.
This isn't about
lecturing buyers about minding their manners; rather, think of this as the
inside tips to helping land the home you really want. For instance, sometimes,
being late for a viewing of a listing could cause you to lose that particular
home. In a really hot real estate market, if you're late or you don't show up
for the listing, you might not get a second chance - the home could be sold.
Another consideration
is to be aware of how much time you need to view a home. If you try to see too
many homes in one day, chances are you're not going to treat each home with the
same respect. The first homes might get lots of attention by you in terms of
time and what you notice. However, by the time you're on, say, 15th home of the
day, you might be so tired that you blaze through it barely giving this last
home the attention it deserves. You'll end up wasting your time and potentially
making a poor choice because you were worn out when you viewed it. Instead, you
may have to return to the last few homes you viewed that day. While it's often
expected to return to a home you're very interested in, it's time-consuming to
have to return to several homes simply because you weren't able to focus or pay
attention in great detail.
One of the most
important etiquette tips is to make sure that you've been pre-approved and are
a serious buyer, ready to take action should you find the right home. Shopping
for homes is serious business. It's likely the largest monetary transaction
you'll make; being financially and emotionally prepared is good etiquette and
will help expedite the process.
When viewing a home, if
the sellers are present (sometimes this happens), don't share your likes or
dislikes about the home with them. Be courteous and keep the conversation to a
minimum with the sellers. You want to make sure you leave the negotiation
process to your experienced real estate agent. If you have questions about the
home, be sure to take good notes and consult with your agent. Your agent is the
liaison for good reason. The agent is experienced and knows how to find out the
information you need without undermining your bargaining position. Polite
conversation with the sellers is appropriate if the opportunity occurs. And, if
the house isn't right for you from the moment you set foot in it, at least give
it a quick walk-through, just to be absolutely certain.
Having good manners
when house hunting is about more than just having people like you. It could be
the potential development of a successful real estate transaction. Good will
during that process helps keep things moving along at a steady pace and
possibly with a better outcome than if the sellers were selling to a buyer they
really didn't like.
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