One of the biggest real estate myths is "there is a perfect house out there for you".
Let's set the record straight there is no perfect house. Sure the house may be in the right location, have the beautiful kitchen you want but the rest of the house may need work. Or the house may be in the school system you want, have the right layout, but not have the right "wow" factor for you.
Every house will have at least one issue that isn't right for you. Whether you are a first time home buyer or seasoned home buyer you want that perfect house. What I tell people "close" or 4 out of 5 wants is good. No house is perfect.
To illustrate my point I have an older couple I have been showing houses to in Plymouth now and then over the last three months. We were close once but their kids came over and looked at the house and shot it down. That was fine, the house required too much work in the kids view. Which I could agree with.
Last week we found another 50 year old Plymouth house. It is relatively good shape. Roof is only 12 years old, breaker electrical box, copper plumbing, and decent looking kitchen. Probably was updated 20 years ago. They called the kids in again. Now these kids are good at finding potential problems. I would hire them as inspectors myself. They point out things I don't notice and I notice quite a few things.
They found a few water spots on the ceiling in a front bedroom. The two different sets of kids were talking. So how's the house over all the mother asked. The one brother said I'm worried about the water spots. But the other brother said the magic words. The house is in good shape. The house is over 50 years old and NO HOUSE IS PERFECT. YOU WON'T FIND ONE THAT IS. YOU CAN LOOK FOREVER AND YOU WILL NEVER FIND ONE THAT IS MOM.
He was right. He wasn't discounting the water spots. He wants them checked out and fixed if necessary. But he wasn't will to throw out the house choice because it had a few issues.
I have another couple that have looked on and off for a year in Northville. Now they are looking for a perfect house. We are having talks every time we go out about there is no perfect house. At first they wanted a nice updated house, with certain colored cabinets, with hardwood floors, with good feng shui, with bedrooms facing south, not on a corner, in a certain price range, a good deal, and on and on.
Unfortunately they have passed up on some tremendous bargains and some beautiful homes. They have actually lost out on homes that sold in a week because they were totally updated and under priced. A shame. One was turned down because the bedrooms didn't face the right way. They still would like to have some of the items, but I think they finally get it. I think they are going to make an offer on a LESS THAN PERFECT HOME.
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Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor
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Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor
I agree there is no such thing as a perfect home.
Your right. No house is perfect. There are a few people that look for the perfect house and wonder why they can't find it. It does not exsist.
Russ, I can't tell you how many clients say, if we could just have this feature in the house you showed us last week, it would be perfect. Nothing can make it through 50 years without a few nicks and dings. Heck, look at my picture. Rich
You have more patience than I would. Understanding the difference between wants and needs is sometimes more difficult than one would hope. But, the second couple sound like a complete nightmare.
Russ, I really adore it when someone here on ActiveRain puts into words what I know instinctually, but can't quite form into an informative essay, like you did here. Four out of five is a great match, in my book. But, I have found that you really can't battle the feng shui. I don't even try. Congratulations on getting them to a decision making time. Only took a year, huh? Well done.
Same logic might spill over into your soul mate for life. I know in theory only one person could be argued, but if you back off the love being the only requirement and beef up the compatibility factor due to both individuals being unique but far from perfect...then with the world's population, you could have many "perfect" match ups..like homes. Price is usually allways a factor and if it was not, a good broker could find that "perfect in their eyes" home.
Hey Russ: I've yet to sell the "perfect home". Like you, I tell my clients not to expect to see a home that meets every one of their expectations. They must be realistic and have a "vision" for how they can transform the "almost-perfect" home into THEIR ideal property.
Russ: I agree! Few things in life are perfect and homes are the same way. Hopefully as these buyers look at more homes, they will begin to understand that their "perfect" home is the one that is best for them. Good luck!
Russ,
Buffini teaches buying a home is a process of elimination, not selection. Put your wants list together and find the one that fits the most.
In reality, I have found buying a home for most people is an emotional response regardless of what the want list says.