It is a Tough Market; no one can deny that! Not only are buyers exhausted & losing hope when their offer is not accepted, but their real estate agents are also right alongside them, sharing in the defeat. You must keep trying! Why do I say that? Well, I want to share a different perspective with you.
Some seller situations that I have come across can be completely surprising. I am sure you have seen or heard that saying, “You never know what someone is going through, so treat everyone with kindness”?
Once upon a time in the current 2020-2021 real estate market…. I received a call from a past client whose neighbor needed to sell her home; let’s call her Blanche. When I met Blanche, she was a vibrant, beautiful person & had a heart of gold. Blanche was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and she needed to sell her home so that she could live out the rest of her days with her family and receive the care that she needed.
She shared her decades of stories and how she poured her heart & soul into this home. She also said that she would love to see someone else fill the home with the same love and laughter! We discussed how I would market the property, what type of offers she could expect, and how quickly they would come in. She was amazed to hear that buyers were waiving inspections, paying over the asking price, and bringing the difference in cash if the home were to not appraise.
We listed her home, and without a doubt, we had about 10 to 15 offers within the first 48 hours, and it was a very tough decision for her. We went over every aspect of each offer, financing, down payment, deposit, inspections, any contingencies. She read through ALL the letters that were also submitted with almost every offer. She came to her own decision, which was extremely important to her. Now, these buyers may not have been the highest and may not have been paying cash, but she fell in love with this family from the pictures each of the 6 children colored for her and the notes they sent her. Keep in mind, no-one knew her personal situation.
Blanche chose an offer within about 3 hours of reviewing them all. Remember, at the end of the day, it is the seller’s decision and may not always mean that they pick the highest and best offer. It meant the world to her to be in control of selling her home and picking the family she wanted to see there.
Is it timing? Is it luck? Is it patience? It is all three! Keep your head up and keep trying!
Most agents like myself that have been Brokers/Realtors® for over 20 years have not seen a market like this, and we may never see it again.
Each seller client & buyer client is different, and their needs are as well. As Realtors®, we are here to bring a buyer and a seller together and deliver them a successful transaction. We have to rise to the occasion and guide our clients to make the best decisions possible and to discuss any risk with them.
Residential real estate is, in most cases, an emotional journey, and not always will you find a Blanche but let’s always be reminded that if you have your health and your family, all is good today! There is a house out there that you WILL call Home one day!
