Buyers & Sellers: Decisions, Decisions…
Are you spinning with ideas, questions, and options about what to do as a buyer or seller? As Realtors, we know the stress around the decisions of “what to do” when it comes to Real Estate. Here are some common decisions we hear buyers and sellers agonize over:
“I can’t decide if we should just add on to our home or find a bigger home.”
“Should I wait till the interest rates lower before making a move?”
“Would it make more sense for us to renovate this bathroom before listing it?”
“Should I pay off my credit card and student loan before buying a home?”
This is just a small sampling of the things that we know adults worry about. We even do it ourselves sometimes! Here are some things that Realtors want buyers and sellers to know to help lower their stress:
Realtors are consultants: Bring in a Realtor early in your process. Even if you are a year or two away from making a move, we can help you focus. Instead of worrying about what to do, gain some factual information from a Realtor. This will help streamline your decision making and make you feel confident in it.
Don’t demo till you speak with us: You may think your home needs to be HGTV perfect before listing, but that may not be the case. A Realtor can do a quick walkthrough, review recent comparable homes, and tell you if you need to make improvements to your home or not.
Realtors are a gateway: Speaking with your Realtor is an efficient use of your time. Let us know your questions, concerns, and the options you are considering. From there, we can initiate conversations with our vendor partners (mortgage, insurance, movers, contractors) to get you more answers.
It’s not usually “all or nothing”: Many adults think obtaining a mortgage is a pipe dream due to some debts they are carrying. Speak with your Realtor about your goals and concerns regarding debts. We don’t need all the details; you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable. We can connect you with a trusted mortgage professional who can do a full consultation and analysis of your financial situation to tell you what you need to do, and what you DON’T need to do! Having a zero balance is not always what’s needed for you to get a loan, and speaking with a qualified professional about it will remove any guessing games on what you need to do.
Market speculations: Rather than listening to every market sound bite available on the news, contacting a Realtor that can review what is currently happening in your local market is a great way for you to determine your next step. We will be able to tell you how active the market is, how the rates are trending, and accurate market values for your current home or the areas you are considering purchasing.
The takeaway: Realtors can help reduce your worry. Let us in on what is keeping you up at night. We can help reduce or refine your options and partner you with great professionals to help formulate a game plan.
