Can You Compromise?
Buying a new home is about compromise.
Often it’s because the perfect home you desire does not exist, or is not something you can afford. There are trade-offs with every home, and deciding what you are willing to give up vs. what you are not is usually a tough choice. Some buyers have a very tough time making this decision. And as a first timer you may find this especially hard to do.
Compromise also is necessary when there is more than one person involved in the decision making, and the parties do not agree on what they are looking for in a new home, or the merits of particular houses. Certain characteristics of homes may be more important to some folks than others. And occasionally very small issues become huge ones!
So be prepared for needing to compromise. How do you resolve such issues in your daily life? Are you willing to let go of certain desires in order to achieve the overall goal of home-ownership?
Happy Thanksgiving – Time for a Break!
Tomorrow is the big day! Hope you have a terrific one, with safe travels.
These wild turkeys were on the roof of my Mother’s house back in Pennsylvania where I visited a couple of weeks ago. Guess they were getting prepared!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Carlsbad Homes – Short Sales Q and A
I am often asked questions about short sales. Let’s face it, they have an appeal for many buyers, even though they may end up not being a great deal, and there are a good number of them around in various markets. Sooner or later you will come across one in your Carlsbad home search, or anywhere else you may be looking (keep in mind that laws regarding some of these issues MAY vary from state to state).
I have been writing a series on common questions that Carlsbad buyers typically ask. I will update this list as I post other articles; these are probably pretty common for buyers everywhere:
Who Pays the Taxes and Penalities?
Can I make an Offer Contingent on Selling my Home?
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Start your CARLSBAD HOMES SEARCH here (and other San Diego communities)
Download FREE BUYER AND SELLER REPORTS here
Visit CARLSBAD COMMUNITY REPORTS for profiles on communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods (including other nearby towns)
Looking for a Needle in a Haystack
It’s a buyers’ market here in the Carlsbad area…in fact all of San Diego. And that ’s true in many parts of the country. What that mean for you, a new buyer, is many choices of Carlsbad homes to consider. That may not be true in all price ranges, and if you are at the low end of the price range for our housing market you might not have as much to ponder.
One of the things I sometimes see with first time buyers (and actually other buyers as well) is that they are looking for a needle in a haystack. By that I mean they are seeking something that probably is unrealistic. They want a certain size, features, location and more, but it does not fit the budget. Or they want it all in a certain location where that type of home does not exist, at least for that price.
They look and look, and while there are homes that meet most of their criteria, there is nothing that has everything that they want. So rather than settle for something that has just about all the features that they need, they decide to continue searching for that needle, unwilling to trade off, or ever-hopeful that what they really want will somehow appear. And they continue to find something wrong with every home they see.
Does that sound like you?
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Start your CARLSBAD HOMES SEARCH here (and other San Diego communities)
Download FREE BUYER AND SELLER REPORTS here
Visit CARLSBAD COMMUNITY REPORTS for profiles on communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods
Please Don’t Tell Me What To Do!
Do you like to be told what to do? Or to make your own decisions?
This is something to think about in your real estate transaction.
As a new buyers there is lots to learn and you will need a fair amount of direction. And sometimes that means being told what to do vs. making your own decisions.
But often you have choices, and your agent should let you know what they are so YOU can make the best decision for your personal situation. The choice, in the majority of situations, should be YOURS and not your agent’s, unless there are requirements by state law or other circumstances that warrant being told…you must do this! And you should understand the implications of NOT doing things that are in your best interest.
One critical area, in my opinion, where this is important is the home search itself. Should YOUR AGENT decide what homes you should see, or should YOU? I feel strongly that it is primarily YOUR choice, not mine. Perhaps you do too.
I would be clear up front with whoever you work with as to how the home search should proceed to be most effective for YOU. After all, YOU are the one who has to live with the decision.
I prefer for clients to do their research and decide what things they want to see, or not. BUT there are times when I encourage them to see, or not see, certain properties one I know what they are really looking for. This way I can save them time and trouble, or direct them to properties that really can work well for them that they may have overlooked. And since I know the market well, I can often help them be more effective in their searching.
In cases where someone is brand new to the area and has no clue (a relocation, for example), I will provide them with a variety of homes in different areas to give them an overview so they are better able to make decisions going forward about areas they like, types of homes, and so on. But it really depends on what is best for them.
Think about it. What works best for you?
Community Information – Olivenhain and Del Mar
Part of the home search for any buyer is learning about various communities that interest them. For some, that is the MOST important issue they are considering in the selection process for their new home.
If you are looking in the North County San Diego area, you may be interested in Del Mar as a destination, best known for the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Racetrack. This upscale coastal community is pricey, but offers a wonderful seaside lifestyle.
Perhaps your interests are more rural in nature. Or you may even be looking for an equestrian property. If so, Olivenhain, a community within Encinitas, may be your new home.
If I can provide more information about either of theses communities, or answer any questions about the market, please let me know.
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Start your CARLSBAD HOME SEARCH here (and other San Diego communities)
Download FREE BUYER AND SELLER REPORTS
