We all remember toward the end of the Wizard of Oz with Dorothy clicking her ruby red shoes together saying, "There's no place like home... " So if you are a buyer searching for a home or a buyers' agent helping someone what is the ONE key to finding home sweet home?
LIFESTYLE.
It is truly unique among all of us. Some downsizing, some it is the schools or the town, some nature, some noisy, some quiet. Some to be near family. Others the beach, mountains, lively night life, quiet deserted streets, or just the rodeo nearby. Buyers' agents listen carefully. Buyers think hard about where you WANT to be the next five years. The answer is there. Listen to the music inside your soul. Go for it. Lifestyle is the key!!
Good point. It's important to get to know your client/buyer and ask plenty of questions so that they make the best choice for them. There are so many factors to consider.
I do think everyone should love the house they are buying and it has their needs or wants met. But You, your family and friends are what makes a house a home. I often think I could live anywhere and make it home as long as I had the people I loved included in the mix.
Gary, perhaps this is cliche...but all you gotta do is look inside!
Good post
Bo
Aloha Gary,
Good post, Yes listening to your client is one of the best skill sets you can have. The more you talk with them and find out about them, the more you are able to help them.
Brian: Many questions figure out the answer.
Hi Sherry: Excellent point about people over amenities. It is kind of like putting a puzzle together with what do these people around me need? Good neighborhoods? Good schools? A safe environment? Buyers and buyers agents add it all up.
Bo: Sometimes one glance inside and you can rule many a house out.
Bill: Aloha. Listening is so important.
Gary - it's all about listening to their heart rather than their voice. I love when I can give clients an Aha! because I've noticed the things they love about a house, and then come up with a property outside their box of requirements.
Awwwwh, the "art of listening" - if this was able to be taught as easily as "what to say" - half of the battle would be won. Nice post and thanks!
Gary, great post, you just got to slow down and listen.
Gary...
You are so right. Every one's housing needs are different, and it's important to know those needs before starting to look for a home.
Gary, One of the reasons my hisband and I have enjoyed our 33 realtor years is the opportunity to serve many diffrent client life styles and, yes, LISTENING is key, Karen
Finding that "Home Sweet Home" that everyone is looking for requires agents to listen to their clients unique wants and needs which tranforms into a their lifestyle, but it is only when you really listen and take it in that you will find that missing piece of the puzzle... Take care, Gary!
Great post. You have valid points. Some people think they want to live farther from "the city", but when drive time to and from work is time taking away from family time, many rethink their priorities.
Gary-Definitely listening to what your "buyers" dream house would be and then doing everything in your power to make that happen for them, is key to a long lasting relationship and when you have a happy buyer, then they will more than likely talk favorably to their family and friends what a great experience they had and will be happy to refer you to family and friends. As for me personally home is wherever there is people I love. Great post as always.
Gary, I can actually SEE my lifestyle. I know what I want and don't want; the problem for me will be Location :)
Gary-It is important for buyers to think before purchasing a home and determine if that home is where they want to be. I love the picture of the rocking chairs and the couple holding hands. The picture itself tells a story.
You listen with such compassion, Gary, and pose some wonderful questions for Buyers. I'll take that porch and perfect rocker & mountain view and the guy in the other chair any time now!
Liked your post Gary. Good question(s) for buyers and their agents and us.
Gary - People really buy for various reasons. Lately I have seen several buyers purchased the home just to be near the grandchildren. It is oh so important to listen carefully so we can help our clients make a wise decision.
Gary...
I really am looking forward to meeting you too, next time for sure, OK. Hey, I've got a bone to pick with you :-)...you have kinda stopped posting on Texas Real Estate group. I know it's hard but I sure miss reading your post, and I always check that group of course. Even when I've been not doing as much on AR...so come on back and feed me words or humor and wisdom o wise one.
The slide show turned out really cute, I did it in flash slide show and sky album, but can't figure out how to get the html code. I've used it before with no problem, so I have no idea what is going on?
I've got music, captions, clip art, oh well...here is a nice one of Tom and Laura.
Stay healthy & happy, L
Sharon: That emotional listening takes a keen sense of the feeling. Glad you have it Sharon. Your clients I am sure appreciate when you zero in on it for them.
Hi Rick: So true. Listening is a tough skill to get good at.
Brad and Angela: Taking time for the questions is important. Excellent thought.
Richard: Everyone is different. No cookie cutter buyers.
Karen: With that tremendous experience you have probably seen all the types of lifestyles.
Teresa: Agents with a fine tuned ear can find that missing piece.
Donna: Commute "time" is a big factor nowadays for sure.
Hi Pat: Happy buyers lead to more referrals. Great point as always.
Hello Carole: I guess you have to figure out the lifestyle and then transport that to a location you want eventually if at some point in life it is time for a change of scenery. Two homes, maybe?
Laura: Thinking ahead and really knowing makes all the difference.
Mara: I'll get the rocker the mountain view and the guy packed up and sent your way Mara ; )
Michael: It's all about the right questions in finding the real needs.
Jennifer: Being near the grandkids was a situation I ran into recently too with a buyer.
Hi Liz: Alright, I'll be sure and post back to the Group. I hadn't thought I had enough specific Texas ones lately, but I promise to do better. You're too nice to have bones to pick with me : )
I'll meet you some day. Great Laura and Tom photo.
Hi Gary, happy you enjoyed the card, by the way. Change is in the wind... see my post. Listening is something I work hard to focus on as I WANT to be a great listener. Have to slow my mind/thoughts down!
Gary, you're right. It's all about listening to the buyers - and checking frequently to ensure we are properly interpreting what they are saying.
Others the beach, mountains, lively night life, quiet deserted streets, or just the rodeo nearby.
You had me up until "just the rodeo nearby." That's not a phrase I hear very often in Sacramento. LOL. I was thinking, sure, you can buy a second home at Lake Tahoe and have it all. Oh, wait, there's that rodeo requirement.
One thing is for sure, "Quality of life" means something different for each of us! What does Quality of life mean to you is the first question that someone should ask themselves...
Your Friend in Charlottesville!
not ,..... location, location, location, actually, it is lifestyle, lifestyle, lifestyle, that is truly what most people are buying - great post
Gary... I'm a believer that we sell lifestyle and not a home, if you find out more about your buyer... you will be able to help them find what they are really looking for.
Hi Susie: We all have to work at listening. I'm better than I used to be. Your card was GREAT!!
Pat: Good thought on feedback on the listening with the buyers.
Hi Elizabeth: Yep, rodeos are in Wyoming, different parts of Texas, Sacramento? Maybe the traveling rodeo : )
Charles: Great phrase, "quality of life." I like that one Charles.
James: I like your version of the three L's.
Debbie: So true. It comes down to listening to the buyer.
I would love to be in that picture that you have in your post! It would also be great to live near the beach...too bad there are no beaches in Colorado! Once you figure out what kind of lifestyle your buyer desires, helping them find a home that meets their needs is a much easier task.
Hi Patricia: Mountains are great. Beaches are nice. Just have multiple homes or do vacations or time shares. There's always ways to fit YOUR lifestyle into life.
Gary - Amen to that! Sometimes we need to remember as agents that most of the time buyers buy with lifestyle in mind. It really isn't about the 3 bedroom/ 2bath home with large yard, etc. It's about how that area feels. Actually Jennifer Allan once told us a story about how an one of her buyer's agents realized early on that Jennifer wanted a house in the country because of how she reacted to the home and some of Jennifer's must have requirements didn't really matter in the end. It was the country feel lifestyle that mattered.
GARY Clients do have their ideal home in their head. You're right, if we listen, we will hear it.