Have you ever bought or sold real estate? If you have, you know what it’s like to sweat through the offer, inspection, appraisal, and negotiation process. You either made it through to the end with success or a whiskey caffeine addiction and a twitch under your left eye. Or all of that.
Maybe it was easy-peasy thanks to a fabulous agent who made it look like a walk in the park, and you know nothing about said agent’s new nicotine addiction.
But here’s the deal. Even if you had an award-winning, go-getting, nerves-of-steel-even-after-6-cups-of-coffee agent who makes it all look like sunshine….it’s not. Real estate, albeit enjoyable, is challenging. You’re dealing with human beings and their emotions centering around the most significant purchase they will ever make, dealing with some of the most important decisions they will ever make. Throw in any number of other extenuating circumstances, like:
- Foreclosure
- Divorce
- Death
Just to name a few…..
And you have a recipe for a high-pressure, trauma-inducing, therapy-necessitating event.
Having just anybody represent you is not a great plan. But even if you have the best possible agent beside you, you need to know something. It’s actually the number one secret that every agent wants you to know.
Ready?
Real estate agents do not own a crystal ball.
Shocking, I know, but the fact remains that we can give you the very best updated market statistics. A detailed comparative market analysis, including showing you the average days on the market for properties in your area. We can send you spreadsheets, videos, and data with exhaustive information regarding interest rates, potential buyers, and marketing scenarios, but at the end of the day….
We’re just really educated guessers. The most experienced agent can give you all the information, list, and market your home perfectly, and it might not sell right away. Although real estate is all about numbers, list price, days on the market, interest rates, and potential buyers through the door, ultimately, it’s also about people. People who have emotions, life changes, and changing desires.
As an agent, anxious sellers often ask me how long I think it will take for their house to sell. And with all the confidence of a 4-year-old in a Batman shirt, I cite the current market statistics and pray for the best.
And I consider myself a good agent.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is be realistic and don’t assume your agent has psychic skills, a crystal ball, or practices witchcraft.
However, there are ways you can help mitigate some of the unknown. First, listen to your agent. Even without black magic, a good agent (like me!) can guide you through the process.
Remember, homes require three things to successfully sell. Price, marketing, and condition are the most important criteria. Listen to your agent’s advice about these three points. If you do, I can almost guarantee your house will be sold, and you’ll be on your way to new pastures.
Second, give yourself and your agent grace. Selling (or buying) is a process, often with factors out of your control as well as your agents’.
And finally, practice patience! We know that you want and need your property sold. No one wants it to happen for you more than your agent. It can be a difficult and emotional journey, but patience is the best trait to bring with you for the trip.
As a final aside, going through a challenge with someone can often bring you closer. Facing obstacles together allows individuals to rely on one another, offer support, and work towards a common goal. In the process, connections can grow stronger, and what once started as a challenging situation can lead to developing a meaningful friendship. So, embrace challenges with an open mind, as they may bring you the gift of a good friend as well as a fabulous agent.
Now I’m off to eBay to see if they have crystal balls for sale.
The Overly Caffeinated Agent 