Falling in Love Is Wonderful!
A couple of days ago, Seth Godin wrote a blog about buying a house. He called it "How to Buy a House" and started it off with, "Actually, how to think about buying a house." He went on to talk about the "…enormous social pressure and the expectations that come with…." being in the market for a house, and gave some great advice to people thinking about buying.
I couldn't resist – I had to write him a fan letter. This may be my favorite post of Seth's so far. He reminds the reader that, "A house is not just an investment, it's a place to live." And, "You shouldn't fall in love with a bond or a stock or a piece of gold…" but "…you just might fall in love with a house."
Falling in love is wonderful!
No question, buying a home is an emotional decision. Even if you find everything you think you want – the right neighborhood, the right school, the right number of bedrooms, the right look, the fireplace, the gardens, the garage, the man cave, even the lower level ping pong room – it still may not be right. It's like when you were dating. He looked right, was tall enough, good sense of humor, good education, your friends liked him…but something was missing. I think we call it chemistry. The same is true with the house - you gotta fall in love! Falling in Love is Wonderful!
In his blog Seth cautions against buying too much house or falling under the spell of great marketing and being pressured into paying too much for a house. He reminds his readers to step back when looking at a house, to take out the investment aspect, and just look at it as a house you love, then decide.
Falling In Love Is Wonderful!
As seasoned agents, we can see when a house is right, when a house just fits. We can just look at the buyer’s face, listen to the chemistry, and we know. It may not be exactly what they described, but it is exactly what they want.
Falling in Love is Wonderful!
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Margaret - this really IS excellent advice. I missed Seth's post but glad I saw it here, and heard your thoughts. It is something I think many buyers struggle with. Your sensitivitiy and understanding of the buying process shines through so clearly.
Jeff
I love this analogy. It's so true - buying a home is a lot like falling in love. This is a great analogy to use in the buyer consultation--especially for first time buyers.
I am in this situation right now with first-time buyers. They have been kicking tires for about 2 years. They took one look at the view a house we couldn't get into had and that was it. We came back the next day. The house is also beautiful but we were not going to see it because the deck and some additions are unpermitted and probably not to code. They are going to have to deal with that, but the house took them over. And it is a short sale. But they are in love and it's wonderful to see.
It is important for buyers to realize that "love is blind" and to go back to their checklist to make sure that the home is right for them, their lifestyle and their budget!
Ahhh this is wonderful Margaret. I enjoy reading Seth's posts everyday but I've been so busy I didn't see this one. Great re-blog, people forgot that a home is a HOME.....a LIFE...DREAMS.....
Hi Margaret...Sometimes you see a house before your clients do and fall in love with it for them. That has happened to me and sure enough they have felt it too.
Joan has some good advice though. If it holds up just as well after a second look around and checking over the check list you should be good to go.
That is why it is important for us to show properties that are within the our clients budget. We don't want them falling in love with something that is out of their reach.
Kate
Hi Margaret! I love this post! Just today, I received a call from a listing agent congratulating me on my buyers winning a bidding war for a property that they are absolutely in LOVE with! They drive by it every evening after dinner and on the weekends. They have just been going nuts waiting to see if they won the bid and finally, we found out. She cried and laughed and cried some more!
Today was one of my favorite days in this business--I love making people smile and she was just beside herself because they were going to be buying the home of their dreams! And, yes, they are both in love with this house!
Hi Margaret, I'm fickle my love only lasts till the next home catches my eye ;)
Margart,
Watching the reactions/ body language tells me when they gave IT. It's nice when it happens.
Margaret- What a wonderful post about your perspective about buying a home from a veteran agent's view. Many buyers don't realize that their buyers agent is really there for them. I personally was attracted to your post because of you, not Seth- ( I am not a fan of his) Katerina
Jeff, Being in the business for awhile and really caring makes the difference.
Les, This is especially true for first time buyers but hopefully is for all buyers.
Jane, It is wonderful for us as well to watch this love happening.
Joan, I will always try to "talk them out of the house". If that can be done, it was not the right house.
Anna, A home is a home..life and dreams...so true.
Kate, When you know and listen to your buyers, it is not at all unusual to know the right house before they fall in love.
Debe, You understand this business...not just about bricks and sticks.
Cynthia, Good thing you are staging homes and not buying.
Terry, That's one of the things we "get"..like a matchmaker for property.
Katerina, Really enjoyed your seminar this week. Thanks for sharing!
Great post, we are the matchmakers and when we show houses, we are hoping that chemistry is there.
Great post.... I hope that everyone will continue to think positive in a time when we need it the most... Negative only breeds negative... Blog on!
no one can take the emotion out of buying a house..it isn't just a structure...just the brick and mortar...and add the sweat, hours of paint and polish...it is a part of you !
This is such a refreshing change when looking at the purchase of a home and thanks for the link to Seth's post, have a great weekend Margaret!
This is great and I agree 100%, in fact when I first started blogging on Activerain, I wrote a post on Buying a house is like falling in love. Maybe I will revisit that post.
Hi Margaret! Sounds like it was an excellent article. When I get a minute I am going to read it.
That is one of the fun parts of our business--when you see the buyers' reactions and know it's the one for them. Somewhat makes up for all the other stuff.
Hi Margaret - it's so true! Buying a home isn't all about rational decision making....it just has to "feel" right. And you can DEFINITELY tell when your buyers have found it! That's the absolutely BEST part of my job....knowing I helped make my clients' dreams come true. :)
My first-time buyer closed this month after looking for 2 years. She kept apologizing for not buying one of the many homes we looked at -- I told her the spark wasn't there yet for her and that she'd know when the right house appeared. It did, she fell in love, and is moving in.
Hi Margaret, Glad you brought us his post. I think you're right ! The correct word is " Chemistry " and without it there will be no buyer action !
Margaret,
Excellent post, and thank you for sharing it with us.
Margaret, good advice. Buying a home is emotional and it reflects your personality. Therefore, you should fall in love with it if it is your primary residence.
Just like a marriage no matter how strong the romance you still have to take care of it and nurture it.
Very true. It is an emotional sell.
Great post, I'm going to have to check out Seth's blog post.
My day starts with Seth's blog. He also turned me on to the daily cartoons at www.gapingvoid.com. His new book Linchpin is a must read.
Margaret, I love this post--it really hits home. Just this week I was showing someone a few properties, and when we were leaving the highest priced, and obvious favorite of the group, he stated that he would really like to live in this home.....BUT if he does not get it for the price he deems fit, we can go back to his least favorite of the day, because it is the best deal. OH NO, I exclaimed--he is not going to buy, just to buy (whether the 8k credit is here or gone)--at least not thru me. I calmy looked him square in the eyes and said--you NEVER buy a home (whether small condo, or McMansion) without loving it--period. I will find him something--- within his price range, and he can be sure of one thing,---HE WILL LOVE IT!
Margaret, I like your post much better than Seths. His core message is right on but he belabors too many of the points that I wonder how many will read it vs eyes gloss over.
PS Where do you get your graphics as I really like the blueprint one here.
What fun! It is nice that a blog post touched you so much that you wanted to respond. Let us know if he writes you back!
Great post Margaret! I love your analogies. I haven't gotten a chance to read Seth's post but will be looking for it now.
Thank you,
DeeDee
I agree that find the right house is like falling in love. I always tell my buyers who are skeptica about finding the house that's right for them, that I'll know that they have found the right house before they do.
When a buyer finds the right house, their faces light up like Christmas trees. Their eyes get glassy and they even walk in a different manner. It's so obvious and cute at the same time.
Penny Patterson
I try to caution my clients not to get too emotionally attached to a property. Sometimes the home is so right for them that it is hard for them to keep their emotions in check. At the end of the day, I want all my clients to love their home. When they feel good about their purchase, they feel good about me. That's what keeps the business rolling in.
Margaret,
I once had a client describe it as looking for the house that 'called her name'. Then one day, we walked into a cute little bungalow and we both heard it calling her name....she's very happy there.
Jo
Margaret:
I, too, subcribe to Seth Godin's daily blog.
The only problem is when a Buyer couple falls in love, but the Seller's won't come down from the list price of the home. It's not the case of a short sale. The Sellers said they will rent it for a year & see what happens, rather than move from their list price. They still love the home. And, unfortunately, the home is priced outside of the market. This one happened last week....
Pat
Margaret: Great posting! I always prep my buyers and tell them that when their legs start to shake, tell me to get my SOLD sign ready. This always helps when I doing a listing presentation too. Try it, it works.
Regards,
James Rembish
Margaret,
It is such a great time when my buyers find that "special" home and their offer is accepted. To me that is a win-win situtation for all of us.
Thanks for sharing,
Donna
I adore you for all the comments and promise to visit each of your blogs.
Fernando, We get paid to be a matchmaker
Barbara, Positive thinking ..always!
Sally, You know I love the way you think.
Russell, My pleasure and thank you.
Missy, Please feel free to link your post here. Would love to read it again.
Bill, Think you will agree.
Marlene, You are so right.
Coleen, We do have a great job.
Lottie, Your buyer was lucky to find you.
Bill, Chemistry has to be felt…not explained.
Ron, You are welcome.
Ted, We all need the love.
Gene, Some houses are like the beginning of a relationship. “Lust with potential.”
Lee, It takes emotion to sell.
David, Thanks for stopping by.
Joe, I will have to check out the cartoon site.
Heidi, You go girl.
This is one of my favorite posts of yours, too. I think getting ready for the Prom is like getting a house ready for the market. You wouldn't forget to do this and neglect to do that when you are getting spruced up for the Prom. Same idea with getting a home ready for the market.
This is so true. I think I'll like Seth's post too.
True story that we all experience, I am always watching for the flashing eye and floppy waggly ears. Then I know they are in love. Lol
Melissa, He did write back,
Dee Dee, Thank you,
Penny, We just have to be aware of their needs,
Tammie, You are good at this business.
Jo, Good way of "listening".
Pat, Maybe next year it will be back on the market at a reasonalble price..keep looking.
James, Never talked about the "shakes" ..will have to give it a try.
Donna, Win Win usually works.
Cheryl, Now that sounds like a good post you to write.
Joetta, He has a lot of good ones.
Timo, And how about the wagging "tale"?
Hi Margaret,
I saw that blog post and forwarded it to a few clients. I was glad to see that he mentioned that the listing agent works for the seller. There was a lot of helpful insight in there. Great post!
Dana, Thanks for taking time to stop by.
Your comment reminded me to forward this post to Seth.
Even if I didn't like Seth Godin, I'd like this post. This makes a good point about the biggest EMOTIONAL purchase most people will ever make.
Like so much in life, we tell ourselves it's our heads making the decision, but at the cellular level, it's all emotion...that's where the decisions live!
Chris ,
This is a big emotional as well as financial decision. You better be in love.. when you figure... a big portion of most people's pay checks go right to the mortgage.
Li, Had to go to your profile to find your name..which rhymes with Lee. Thanks for stopping by.
Margaret
We hear so much that Gen X and Gen Y have made home buying a commodity and that it has just become a financial investment that it is easy to forget that there is still a very emotional investment as well. Investors fall in love with profit and not a property. Gen Y has been told to hunt for the deal, but at the end of the day, they want to go to a home they love and are proud of.
It is great when the buyer falls in love. But it doesn't always happen.
Wow Margaret, when I grow up I want to be like you!! So many responses to your posts. I happen to be in love with Seth Goldin and read his blog daily. I have always said were looking for a home not just a house. Thanks for sharing.
Margaret,
Seth Godin makes plenty sense. Above all, a home is supposed to be a place to live in and enjoy everything that comes with it. You could fall in love with it, too. When selling, if it yields some nice appreciation that's a bonus.
That is a great point to keep in mind. Too many people fail to realize that a house is where they live. It is an investment but more importantly it is where your family lives.
Mary Jo,Jirius,Donna, Esko and Damon,
To say I am bit late responding would be an understatement. Thank you all and I will be visiting your blogs.
Margaret