Preparing for the worst – knowing what the “worst” looks like and doing whatever is possible to avoid it – that is one of the key components of a successful Realtor. I’ve said many times before that mere MLS access is no longer a guarantee of success.
Setting clients’ expectations at appropriate levels and preparing them for some of the “mights” is one of the most important aspects of a transaction – if you do this, then this will happen; if you don’t do this, then expect the other side to do this.
My job is not to promise sunshine and happiness every day or that every transaction will be seamless (most of them are, to the clients’ eyes) – my job is to manage the transaction minutiae so that surprises are negligible factors – and this comes from experience.
What would be worse as a buyer or seller – having the “worst” happen to you, or being surprised when the worst happens?
Interested in Learning More?
Jim Duncan has been helping buyers and sellers in Charlottesville’s neighborhoods for 25 years. Get local insight born of experience.
Dig Deeper
Sewer Scopes are Good (in Charlottesville)
Orangeburg, Terra Cotta, PVC .. what kind of sewer line does your house have? What kind of sewer line does the house you're considering have? I wrote last month about sewer scopes I advise my buyers to have the sewer lines scoped. It’s usually about…
When Should Buyers Pull their Credit (when buying a home)?
I asked Matt Hodges with Gray Fox Mortgage a couple simple questions a lot of my buyer clients have, and thought you'd find the answers useful. When should buyers let their lender pull their credit? Regardless of when a buyer wants to purchase, if they…
3 First Steps in My Ideal Day to start the Buyer Journey in Charlottesville
The first time meeting in Charlottesville with new to me buyer clients, I like to try to accomplish a lot. The pandemic changed things. How I work with buyer clients is one of the bigger things that has changed. What used to be anywhere from…
Artificial Housing Inventory in Charlottesville
I'm guilty of this, too. For houses that come on the market in Charlottesville and the Charlottesville area, what I'm seeing is this Home is listed as a Coming Soon on Monday/Tuesday so that we Realtors can tee up our buyers. House is activated on…