Shouldn’t Buying a Home be Fun?
Yeah, yeah, I’m a motivational speaker – everything I do should be fun, right? Well, I try to roll that way, but sometimes dark forces work against me.
I am still in the “due diligence” period of buying a new home and I have to say, I’ve found the whole process frustrating, challenging, and somewhat archaic. Things that have taken the fun out if have included my Realtor getting mad that we were driving him all over the place; my Realtor never listening to me (including when I told him we just passed a road he was looking for!); the seller’s Realtor telling us many things that she later claimed “she simply didn’t know about”; and the inability to talk directly with anyone except our Realtor. (Try communicating to other people through someone who doesn’t listen to you.)
These tips are for anyone who sells anything:
1. Listen, listen, listen. Want to make the best use of your selling time? Listen to what the buyer actually wants, not what you want to sell them. Ask lots of questions.
2. Buying what you’re selling should be enjoyable! I don’t care if you’re selling widgets. Interacting with you should be enjoyable and looking at the product should be enjoyable. You should be excited about what you’re selling or you should sell something else.
3. Remember getting someone’s money is a big deal. Buying a home is a huge investment. Even if someone is just buying a meal from you in a restaurant, they worked hard for that money. Don’t start taking that exchange for granted.
4. We are all replaceable. I did all the research on the houses, I came up with all the comps, I decided what kind of offer to make – I just needed someone to get me in to see the properties. If all that is offered is chauffeur service, this business model is doomed. We all need to make sure we offer value and our customers feel appreciated.
5. Never, ever lie. Don’t tell a prospect something to get the sale and later tell them you just didn’t know. Don’t make a promise if you can’t keep it. This type of behavior is why people don’t like salespeople. We feel manipulated and angry and wonder what else you may be hiding from us. I know that mistakes happen and everyone is entitled to one. But more than one and an attitude of arrogance will turn off any buyer. And nowadays they can tell the world about you.
Okay – thanks for the vent. I’m sure there are many great Realtors out there – people who are still excited about helping make people’s dreams come true. I know it’s a hard job and lots of work, but for the buyer it is a major life decision. Realtors should never forget that. Most of the houses we saw were lovely and some were down right fascinating! And I am so grateful to be in a position to afford a terrific home. Here’s to more fun and less angst in all buying processes!
FIND A NEW REALTOR! We have used the same realtor for both of our home purchases, and she is amazing. She let’s us take our time and listens to what we want to see! Put on a smile and fire that realtor 🙂
Too late! We managed to find a house despite everything – and we love it! So glad you have a great Realtor!!
You just have to think differently. See it as an opportunity to have fun. – Bring along a book and say you need to test every bathroom for “readability”. – On carpeted floors, roll around and say you’re testing it to make sure you can wrestle with your pet goat. – On a hardwood floor, kick off your shoes and slide around, and say it’s testing for “Tuesday night line dancing lessons”. – Bonus points for sending them to one end of the house while you make hooting noises from the other to test it for “optimum echo patterns”. –… Read more »
Jon – you are too dang funny! Thanks for the laughs!!!
Dear Denise, Sorry to hear about your home buying process, while it can be stressful at times it should not be what you have experienced above. Noticed that you own five star speaking. What are your goals with the organization? I manage the Fonville Morisey office on Franklin Street and would love to know if you are interested in speaking in a sales meeting. I am also the Past President and current BOD member of the Greater Chapel Hill Association of Realtors and help find speakers for our member meetings. Please share your objectives and any fees involved. Look forward… Read more »
Jennifer,
Thanks so much for the comment! I wish I had met you sooner! Look forward to seeing what we can put together – and I look forward to getting to know you as well. Yay!