So far we have looked in 5 cities (4 of those being in the metro area of KC and one in a rural area outside of what any rational person would consider part of Kansas City). She says she wants a fixer upper but seems to be intolerant of anything that is outdated. She has lowered her upper-budget limit at least three times.
This is where we are at.
She wants this:
That, in itself, isn't so unusual...so I am trying to be patient and educating her as to what she can get within her budget. With what she now has set as her "optimal" price range, I think I can find a pretty nice refrigerator box but it will be a fixer-upper.
I tend to hold HGTV at least partially responsible for this disconnect. I hope you don't believe that buyers will look at only three houses and all three will be clean and tidy. NO.....THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN THE REAL WORLD. People will look at dozens of houses and there are going to be some nice ones and some are more like "are you seriously trying to sell this dump"?
Since I obtained my first real estate salesperson license in 1986, I have come to the realization a lot of people don't know specifically what they want to buy until they see "it". Sure...most start out with a working knowledge of the price range they can afford (but not always) and the general area they want to live (but not always). Some may have a general idea of the number of bedrooms and bathrooms needed...or not. BUT all of their "must haves", "would likes" and "absolutely requireds" get's tossed out the window when they see something that connects with them. Houses on busy streets will be bought because the closet has a rack that can hold lots of shoes. Dream homes will be realized because the kitchen is the prettiest color of terra cotta even though there are foundation problems and termites. (I am not kidding on that one.) No amount of my telling a buyer about the value, the condition, or inherent problems with a home will sway them because they love what they love.
I absolutely understand the emotional aspect of connecting with a property. I do, I really do. I have been both the buyer and seller in my personal life. I have represented hundreds of others in the very stressful negotiations of buying and selling houses. Here's the thing. The purchase or sale of a house can veer away from smart investing and steer more toward a perceived ideal for a happy hearth and home.
When it comes to a person's home (or potential home) there seems to be a very debilitating blindness that sweeps over the buyers and sellers. Sellers can't seem to see any of the problems, the mess, or the negatives that are attached to their home. Conversely, buyers see the problems, the negatives and the mess...times two...and can manage to find a few imaginary problems to throw in as well. (No..the pink bedroom doesn't translate into offering $10,000 less!)
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| There must be a lot of counter space because there are a lot of things on the counter. |
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| Must of been running late for work this morning. Do you love the lighting fixture? |
As a Realtor, I have seen the bizarre, the strange, the "are you kidding me". I have dealt with the difficult, the arrogant, the stubborn and the know-it-all. These are all offset by the wonderful, gracious, practical and they-make-my-job-a-breeze people.
I have shown houses that have been condemned, have been foreclosed or are inhabited by hoarders.
Luckily I have seen others that are beautifully maintained, wonderfully decorated, and spotlessly clean.
Why did you buy what you bought? Do you think you made good decisions or were you overtaken with the emotion of the moment?
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