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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4 comments • Shirley Parks, REALTOR® - SRES • March 29 2009 09:02AMComments
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Perfect home is what's perfect for the buyer. I think that a fair purchase is all anyone should hope for, but a fair purchase becomes a great buy if you love what you bought. Make sense?
Hi Larry, That makes perfect sense. :-) I am a little frustrated right now that I have a buyer coming in soon and there aren't many homes available that fit her criteria. Twice a day I check for new listings coming on the market.
Dear Shirley,
I second that emotion... wait I mean I second that comment. There is no perfect house. Every house needs something done to it at some point. I pray you have buyers that can see the big picture and past the acid lime green paint and funky dated wallpaper. Try to be patient, or try asking colleagues about their upcoming listings that are not yet in the MLS. Good luck. The right house is out there & you will find it!
;)
Hi Betina, Thanks for the encouraging words. :-) I appreciate it.