You might call them potholes or bumps in the road or detours; I call them turbulence. All those things that can happen between the time you sign a contract to buy or sell a house, and the day the keys change hands at settlement.
While talking on the Radio show this past Sunday, I started talking about challenges in a transaction. Many of you know that we fly a great deal. I am very fortunate that my husband is a pilot and we have the luxury of using our plane when I speak in places like New England. And when you fly, it is not unusual to encounter turbulence.
So what is turbulence? It might be a contract with contingencies: You agree to sell your house to someone who has to sell their house in order to buy yours. That means your sale is contingent on their sale. What happens if your buyer is not able to sell? Oops - turbulence.
You find a house you love, that you just have to have. At first look you know it's a stretch for you financially, but it's the perfect house. Then you go back and crunch the numbers, adding in all the costs you didn't think about at first - closing costs, moving, new appliances, etc. Uh-oh - that house you love just became unreachable.
Or you are selling your home and have a buyer who looks perfect. They want your home, they offer full price, and sign a contract. Sounds great, but are they qualified, can they get the mortgage they need, do they have "bruised" credit? There's another pot hole for you.
How do you handle these bumps? It's up to me to prepare you for them. My job as your Realtor® is to be honest with you from the start, to let you know that there will be turbulence. When you are prepared and encounter these bumps, they are much easier to ride out.
Turbulence bounces you around, but a top professional Realtor will help you get through the rough spots and on to a smooth settlement.
Baltimore,Md
I am so excited about your being a Rainer. You are welcome to learn from all my experiences and I look forward to sharing with you! It was great having you call in on the radio show. Now if only we can get a buyer for your wonderful home in Alexandria.
Margaret, I love the graphic! I could stare at it, but then I did finally read what you wrote :-) One of these days I am going to be home or available to listen when you are on the radio I am so bummed that I missed you twice now.
Your clients are very lucky to have you; it's so much about us as consultants, communicating information so surprises are fewer and the path to getting the keys to the home (or giving them to someone else!) is less bumpy. Great post!
Hey Carole, did you sell another house instead of listening to me again? :-)
And I love that graphic also.
Carole,
You do make me smile! Gosh I hope it sells!! I am sure we will talk before the New Year!