We’ve helped many people when they’re buying a house in Calgary. Here are 21 observations about the buying process. (We’ve also helped many sell in and around Calgary!)
- Buyers will change their mind as they develop a better understanding of what they want. Most of the time they think they know exactly what they want to buy. Until they start seeing homes in person. They’ll see something that fits their wish list only to discover other features they don’t like. Then they see something a little different and BAM! That is the ONE! That’s okay. It’s part of the process and why market education is so important.
Viewing homes + life experience = finding the right place.
Bill Leesman, Team Leesman CARES
(Oh yeah, there’s that budget thing too.)
- The way you feel buying a house at 25 is a lot different than how you’ll feel at 35. When we bought our first house we looked at what we could afford above all. We were willing to take something that needed a bit more work. Most people in their 20s look for something that fits the budget with location being a very close second.
- The way you feel about buying a house in your 30s is different than how you’ll feel before or after. It’s probably about the kids and the pets. Location, location, location. It is about schools, commutes and activities. The list goes on. Oh, and never forget the budget. But that’s often better to work with than a decade earlier.
- Home ownership often represents so much more than a house. There’s the ‘I’m adulting’’ factor, the ‘I made it’ feeling, the security factor etc. But it usually means something more important to most people.
Home ownership often represents so much more than buying a house.
Bill Leesman, Team Leesman CARES
- In your 40s the budget is likely the best it has ever been. The term forever home often pops up. The home better fit ALL your needs forever more. At least for now, that is. Enough room for teenagers and entertaining. Add the toys in the yard and, and, and… the list goes on. Size seems to matter more than ever.
- Unless you do this every day, buying is harder than most people expect. The entire process will likely feel stressful and complex. That’s why you hire professionals – Realtors®, lawyers, financial advisors, and inspectors. Regulations change. Contracts adjust.
The market shifts. Even if you do this more than the average bear, you’ll need professionals to help you through the process.
Bill Leesman, Team Leesman CARES
- And, your 50s or 60s and beyond? Now it’s all about me and my big empty nest. Most of the time. Do I need all that space? Cleaning is more than a chore, it is a job. And you already have one of those. But is there enough room for the kids that still come over? I want what I want. No more settling. It has to be perfect. And the right size is up to me.
- You will always feel doubt. Buyer’s remorse is real. So is Seller’s regret. Did I make the right decision? Could I have paid less? Will I like this community, this house? In the end, most people find they made the right choice and get on with their lives. But in the moment, right after papers are signed, yes, and sometimes in the middle of transactions, people lose sight of their goals and have doubts. That is normal. The only way through it is to talk it through with your Realtor®, mortgage broker and trusted advisors. Just remember to be honest with them about your doubts.
You will always feel doubt. Buyer’s remorse is real. So is Seller’s regret.
Bill Leesman, Team Leesman CARES
- Sellers want to know who is entering and viewing their property and if they’re interested. And, they have a right to know. You are a stranger. They are giving you access to their property and inconveniencing themselves to allow you that access.
Sellers have a right to know that you are a serious buyer and that you indeed can purchase the property, if you like it.
Bill Leesman, Team Leesman CARES
- Buying a house with kids is very stressful. Looking at homes with kids can take your focus off of potential properties and place it instead, on ensuring the kids are behaving. Getting sitters is a great option to reducing stress. When you have narrowed down your choices, head back for a second viewing with the kids, if time allows.
- We love pets but no, you can’t take them into homes during a viewing. And, no, you can’t let them loose in yards.
- Be respectful. To the sellers, who have emotions tied up in a house and who may have had their own limitations when they bought. To your agent, who is working with you to help you reach your goals. To yourselves, who are going through a journey that can be hard on your emotions. Besides, someone might be recording you.
Be respectful. Sellers might be recording you.
Bill Leesman, Team Leesman CARES
- Looking at what a seller purchased a property for is not usually relevant. Trying to determine a fair offer based on what a seller paid for a property is like asking someone to sell their Nike or Microsoft stock just above IPO value, because their profit is too much (in your opinion). What a home is offered on the market for, should be relative to what market it is selling in, and not compared to what it was purchased for.
Just because a home is empty, doesn’t mean a seller has to sell, especially for a low price. But, if a home is on the market, the seller WANTS to sell. If you really want the house, then make an educated offer based on current market values (and your budget-but that’s a different conversation).
Bill Leesman, Team Leesman CARES
- Just because a home is on the market longer than average, doesn’t mean there is something wrong with it. Perhaps they had offers that collapsed. Perhaps it once had issues that have since been addressed. It also doesn’t mean that coming in with a low offer is the best answer. Take a look and maybe you will find a gem in the rough.
- When buying a house, it’s rarely as easy as seen on TV. It’s more typical to look at a dozen (maybe more) homes before finding a property that is ‘The One’. That means a lot of mileage for you and your agent. You can reduce that with knowing how much your real budget is, being honest with your agent and yourself, and participating in market education. If you are serious about buying, it will likely include compromise. You might be surprised at how well that works to your benefit.
Buying a house is rarely as easy as seen on TV.
Bill Leesman, Team Leesman CARES
- The number of homes you view is important. If you only see one, your mind will pick out all of the flaws and none will ever fit your ideal. Looking at 3 or 4 will allow you to honestly see comparable homes and make a choice. Conversely, looking at more than 6 on a given excursion will do the opposite. By house 5 and 6 you will likely have checked out. They’ll all blend together and you’ll miss details on the last ones and just want to be done.
- Shop within your budget. Just because a home is above your upper limit does not mean a seller will consider your offer, just to get a sale. Your budget constraints don’t factor into what a seller will accept. Looking at homes beyond your budget is setting you up for disappointment and failure.
- Open houses have changed. A lot. At one time you could attend an open house, not bother your agent, and peruse homes on the market. You could walk in and out and none would be the wiser. Not anymore. Now there are health declarations (Covid-19). You need to provide name and contact information for tracing. And, interact with the agent. Bottom line – no more Mr. and Ms. Anonymous. With that in mind, you might be better off involving your own agent, if you are under contract with one.
- There is no perfect 10 when you are buying a house. Either something about house, or the location, or the price, etc. is not ideal. But a 7 or 8 is probably good enough. Remember, cosmetics can be changed.
Focus on what can be changed versus what cannot be changed.
Bill Leesman, Team Leesman CARES
- Buying a house is a process. Skipping steps will most likely end in absolute angst, or in some cases and steps, failure. Pick an agent you can work with. Get financing in order. Get educated on the market in real life, not just the virtual world. Make an offer that is reasonable and fair. Ensure you have protections in place. Get a lawyer. Get the keys. Simple. Until it isn’t-and that’s what trusted advisors are for.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the process, no matter how trite they may seem.
Bill Leesman, Team Leesman CARES
- It’s impossible for us to not become emotionally involved in every transaction. It’s not that we try not to. We just need to be the calm in the storm so to speak. But you know, whether we show it or not, we’re laughing, crying and stressing right along with you. We want to help find you a home you love.
It’s not real estate that we’re passionate about-that’s bricks and mortar. We’re passionate about creating an exceptional real estate experience for our clients and contributing to all that is good about buying a home and starting a new journey.
Team Leesman CARES
Added bonus – if we don’t know you, and we ask you if you’re already working with an agent to buy a house, it’s not because we’re being nosy.
It’s because we work within the Realtor® Code of Ethics. We need to all be respectful of existing written contracts. As of July 2014, all buyers working with Realtors® are to be working under a written agreement.
So when you hide the fact that you are indeed working with another agent, not only are we all wasting our time, we’re now in breach of our code. Please be truthful when you are asked!