Dollars and Common Cents

Let’s face it, the real estate industry as a whole can be very stressful. There are so many moving parts and so many things that happen behind the scenes…people have NO idea. NO idea.

It is difficult for all of us to maintain our sanity sometimes. I don’t know one person who hasn’t cried, had a meltdown or has not developed an eye twitch at some point and time in their career. #truth

At this present moment, we are seeing a severe housing market shortage that is causing some pretty crazy bidding wars for people who want to buy a home. Day after day, I hear stories of agents and clients losing out on bids to people making outrageous offers that are getting accepted. People are defeated. Mad. Anxious. Sad. Disappointed.

The conversations with our clients have changed over the past year as the sellers market has reared its expensive head into this area. We find ourselves consoling our clients with the simple saying, “Things ALWAYS work out the way they are supposed to.” They just do. Even when we don’t think so at the moment. There is always a better plan. A better house. A different seller. You just have to trust that He’s got your back.

We know that most people don’t WANT to hear that when they feel defeated, but they do NEED to hear it. At the end of the day, even though we don’t get paid unless someone closes on a home, we need to always do what is in the best interest of the client – even if that means that the deal doesn’t get closed.

What concerns me is that I am seeing a whole bunch of people make really bad financial decisions that will effect them long term, just to get a house. Any house. I see a lot of people behaving badly and working so hard to make something work, that really should not work.

I am also seeing some compassionate sellers (for lack of a better word) that know they can command a much higher offer, but have accepted the VA and FHA offers instead. I think that is really awesome and I commend that. I am especially seeing it when the seller is a veteran and the buyer is also. 

Only God knows what is going to happen in the future. As much as we all try to control it, we aren’t running the show. Maybe it isn’t time for our client to buy that home just yet. The market will eventually take a turn. What will happen to all of those people who are barely making it now when they are upside down on their home? 

I know that I am not writing something that is a popular opinion and some people will definitely not agree. I know. I also believe that homeownership is one of the best things that we can experience. It is just not for everyone.

However, at the end of the day, what we do comes down to 3 things:

• We must always do what is best for our clients. We must educate them. Explain things to them. Pros and cons of buying a home in today’s market. Us loan officers also need to be detailed in explaining payments and reiterate what can happen if an appraisal comes in short etc.
• Remember, it is not about the sale or the loan…closing the deal. It is about helping someone fulfill their dreams and for them to have a place for their family or to raise their children. Don’t lose sight of that. We have to always remember to look at people as PEOPLE and not a $$.
• We have to remember that we should not ever “force” things. When they are supposed to happen, they will. It is that simple.

That’s all I got for today.

Jen