This week some buyer clients who I have been working with to buy a Seattle area home for two and a half years (they are waiting for their perfect next home before buying) and the "perfect home" came on the market late last week. On Sunday we took a look at it and it was everything they were looking for. My clients made plans to meet with a lender and start the process to make an offer.
We met at my office as soon as we got the lender's approval to work on our offer strategy for the house and write up a Purchase and Sales Agreement. While talking with my clients and asking questions, I found out that while this house was everything they had been looking for, it really didn't fit into their needs now, nor their financial goals at this time.
I asked more questions, and as we talked further, I pointed out that while we could pursue making an offer on this house, I did not think that it would ultimately be the best choice for them at this time. We talked further and developed a new house hunting strategy and a better financial strategy that would put them in a better position (they own their home and a rental as well) when we find the new "perfect" home...a rambler this time!
So a TIP FOR BUYERS; be sure that your agent is willing to walk away from making an offer for you if it's not the best house for you, or does not really fit your financial goals. Your agent should not be a SALESMAN, but your consultant or advisor to help you through the Seattle home buying process. A SALESMAN is not looking after your best interest, but a good, ethical Seattle Real Estate Agent is. Your agent should not be acting in their best interest. Your Seattle Real Estate Agent should be acting in YOUR BEST INTERESTS when buying a home!
For more information about Seattle and the Seattle Real Estate Market, please contact:
Deborah Burns
206-618-0565
John L. Scott
My other blog is:
http://www.seattlesurbanvillages.typepad.com/
I love Seattle! I moved here in 1994, and I am so glad I did. If you are Relocating to Seattle or thinking are of moving and buying a different Seattle home, I would be happy to help you find a great neighborhood and home to make living in Seattle a wonderful experience for you.
Deborah,
Amen. You are exactly right. We should be consultants are give the customer the best advice we have to offer.
Jack
WELL PUT!
Buyers' Agents are supposed to look out for their buyers' best interests - not sell listings.
SK
Jack - Thank you, you're in the camp for doing right for Buyers!
Adam - Thank you, you're in the camp too!
Hi Debbie - thank you and nice to meet you as well! It is so important to be there for people, buying and selling a house is a big deal and people need their agent to be THERE FOR THEM and not Out for a Buck at their client's expense!
There are so many good, ethical RE agents out there, but just as in any industry, there are some who offer less than stellar service, who tarnish our industry
the timing on this post is perfect. I had a similar situation happen to me this apst week. I went home after an evening showing and informed my wife that the clients decided NOT to write the offer after my counsel.
My wife told me that I talk more people OUT of buying homes than into it. I told her that it is not my job to just find them a home but to find them the RIGHT home. She inderstood and then we ate dinner.
Joe - it is sometimes hard for the people we know to understand why we would counsel someone to NOT buy a house (I have family and friends who ask why sometimes) but once they understand why, and how it's about the Golden Rule and treating people the way we want to be treated they appreciate our efforts too! Good job Joe!