'Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice… Santa Claus is coming to town. La la la la la, la la la lah!
This little cutie was ready with her Christmas wish-list for Santa when I snapped this photo at Annapolis Mall last year.
Will you be ready with a wish-list for buying a home in the Crofton area when we get together in 2010?
Before our first appointment, I suggest you do a little daydreaming and write down every feature and quality you want in a home (as if price were no object). Then start at the top and identify the must-have (or required) items by highlighting them or marking them with a check-mark or star. I call this your “wants and needs” list.
For example, you may want 4 bedrooms, but could live with 3 if everything else about the home is perfect. Or you want a fenced yard but you’re willing to install a fence yourself if you like everything else about the home. In these examples, bedroom #4 and fenced yard are wants, not needs. Knowing both your wants and needs will help me find homes to show you and help you verify that the home you fall in love with meets all of your needs (required features and qualities).
Why not start by looking around your current home and identifying the things you like about it. Now ask yourself what would make it better… If it were bigger? Sunnier? Had a fireplace? On a day like today, I'll bet you're wishing for a garage so you don't have to shovel out your car after the next big snowstorm!
Remember to include practical items on your wish-list, as well - the amount of desired monthly payment, how much cash you want to invest, moving date, or special incentives. The tax credit extension and expansion would be a good example because it creates a deadline for you to enter into a contract and settle.
Remember, making a list and checking it twice is not just for children at Christmas time… it’s also for you when you’re ready to buy a Crofton area home. It will help you stay on track and help me help you!
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
For answers to your real estate questions about Bowie, Crofton, Davidsonville, Fort Meade, Gambrills, Odenton and other communities in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, contact Margaret Woda at Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. or simply click on a button below for information you can review online at your own pace:
Awlays good to be well prepared Margaret! When I think about it though how many buyers actually end up buying what they describe they want? In my experience a lot of them buy something different.
I always ask my new clients to do a top 10 list of features they really want and to highlight at least 3 that are deal breakers.
Margaret,
I too use a wants-needs list with buyers. As you point out, it is enormously helpful to them and me.
Bill - The "needs" list is pretty easy to fill for most of my buyers because they're familiar with the local market before they ever get together with me. It's the "wants" list that often sees a radical makeover. One of my favorites was the couple who wanted a contemporary in the woods, but purchased a tudor in a field - but it did suit their needs better than anything else available at the time.
Laura - Exactly! That's a great way to do it.
Irene - I hope Santa brings you everything you want for Christmas. It looks like you've got an "in" with him, since he posed with you for your photo. LOL.
Gosh Margaret!
Here I thought you were going to be telling me what I needed on my list to find more Buyers and Sellers!
A great list, and very true. The beginning does not always meet the end. I once sold a house to a couple that the husband stood in the yard and said, "I hate this house. I really hate it, but let's buy it." They are still there and still happy!
Time to make those lists, and check them!
Now is the season for families to evaluate the home they are living in and start the process of thinking of moving to the home they need. Great timing on your blog.
Oh, Margaret - These tips are some that ALL buyers need to consider. Many do 'want' this and that but, can be quite happy if they open up their search a bit to see that there are other options that they would really rather have in a home!
Have a great week...
Margaret,
Making a list is a wise move....putting things to pen and paper can only help a buyer really decide what they want/need and help their agent help them get that.
Always a good idea, but I agree with Bill too that sometimes the list is different from what they purchase. I worked with a couple in their 60s. They and their daughter were adamant about buying a one story home, really the only deal breaker requirement. I even asked them if they would consider a 1 story home with a downstairs master bedroom since I knew they would use the extra bedrooms for grandkids. No go, but no problem. I only showed them one story homes. But wouldn't you know that they bought a 2 story house with the master bedroom upstairs. ?!?! I could hardly contain my laughter. They brought the house to my attention and I reminded them of why they told me they wanted a one story, but they had fallen in love with the house. So they bought it!
Thom - Actually, this post is directed to consumers, but your post about networking sure does a great job of addressing this topic with agents and others in our business.
Terry - Thank you! Folks are tired after Christmas, and they just need to re-charge their batteries. While they're doing that, why not spend some time making that "next house" wish list?
Debe - You know, it's not so much about the list but about the process of making the list. Sitting down and putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) helps organize our thoughts. AND it helps clarify our goals.
Rebecca - I don't know about you, but I hate it when buyers have no idea what they want... how are we supposed to choose homes to show them. Their making a list is Step #1 before I can even begin my MLS search.
Michele - Thus the saying "buyers are liars". Obviously this post was directed to consumers, not other REALTORS. We know they don't always buy what they say they want, but buyers need to feel they have control over the process - making a list helps do that. Sure, sometimes those priorities shift when they get out in the field, and that's okay. But you gotta walk before you can run a marathon!