Whenever we have our initial meeting with our buyers, we always ask them detailed questions about what they are looking for in a home. Included in our list of questions is "what 3-5 things must your next home have?" We then go on to formulate a list of "must haves" and "wants" in an effort to find them the right match.
In our experience, however, at least 50% of buyers end up buying something that did not fit their original parameters. Although buyers may say they absolutely positively need something, they will often fall in love with a home that may not have everything they initially said they wanted.
Here are some examples of what some of our buyers initially said they wanted, and what they ended up buying:
WANTED BOUGHT
4 BR home 3BR home, with an additional office/den
3 car garage perfect home, but had a 2 car garage
older home with charm new construction
home on 1 acre townhouse
home in city X home in city Y
brick colonial vinyl sided ranch
Think about this another way. If you are married or have a significant other, is your spouse exactly like you had imagined he or she would be? In our case, my wife wanted tall, dark, and handsome, and got me instead. In fact, she was hesitant to even go on a date with me when we first met because she didn't think I was "her type." By keeping an open mind, Amy found the man of her dreams ( me ) and 13 years later, we've never been happier.
So, although buyers think they know exactly what they want, we think it's best to communicate with your agent regarding what you want and why and be open to some suggestions from us on homes that you may not have originally considered.
If you keep an open mind to looking at homes that may not fit your exact parameters, you may be surprised at what you end up falling in love with and buying.
Here are some other articles of interest for buyers:
Moving Up In A Down Market Can Make Sense
How Much Can I Get That Home For?
Why Using A Buyer's Agent Is Important
How Long Home Components Should Last
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About The Authors:
This information is provided compliments of Amy and Dan Schuman, The Schuman Team Keller Williams Realty. The Schumans service primarily the Eastern suburbs of Cleveland have worked with numerous professional athletes, business owners, and executives who are relocating to Cleveland. They specialize in the Cleveland Ohio luxury home market and also enjoy working with first-time buyers as well.
If you are looking to buy or sell Cleveland real estate, including the surrounding suburbs, please contact the Schuman Team at 216-346-3235.
SEE ALL CLEVELAND AREA HOMES FOR SALE BY CLICKING BELOW:
CHECK OUT THE SCHUMAN TEAM'S AWARD-WINNING WEBSITE
Buyers- Open Your Mind And You May Be Surprised What You Find is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©Feb2010
Such sage advice Dan! Amy made the right decision!
Dan, so very true. Sometimes buyers don't know what we want until they see it. Thanks.
Barb and Michael - Thank you for your comments. Keeping an open mind is always a good thing because you just never know.
Once you've been out with the buyer(s), you can pick up on comments they make that will lead you in a totally different direction.
After we've seen the first three houses - and we're driving to #4, I ask "what are you thinking" and try to get them to talk about what they just saw. What they disliked can be a real eye opener. Especially when a couple is NOT on the same page. Like that "charming house" in their price range needs a LOT OF WORK! Who is actually going to DO the work? Or you can't find a really OPEN floorplan in an '80 colonial.......
It sure is a good feeling when they FIND IT, though.
Hi Toni, thanks for your comments. We also like to learn about what they don't like so we can eliminate homes that aren't worth seeing. It is a great feeling when a buyer finds that perfect home.
When we moved, 7 years ago, we told our agent we were looking for a "fixer project" and she went out of her way to find them for us. Each one just seemed like too much of a bad thing...out of our fix-it skills range, repairs were too expensive, etc. We did end up with a sort-of fixer, but more of a modernization project than a true fixer. It was move-in ready, though dated and dull.
Now, when I talk with buyers, I listen to both the words they are saying, and the reactions I get to the homes I'm showing them--both the listings and the real-life tours. Sometimes even they don't know what they real want until they see it.
Very astute post!
Sonsie, thank you for your comments. When we bought our first home, we wanted to be on a lot of land and ended up buying a townhouse. Sometimes a finished product is too easy to resist.