My Client, The People I Help
MY CLIENT, THE PEOPLE I HELP
My Client, their Criteria
Beginning to work for someone when they are wanting to buy a home it is important to start with the basics before delving into what they want.
I ask clients a series of questions about their motivation, then about their ideal home, and ensure they have their finances in order. Starting with a firm baseline means we progress more rapidly and with certainty.
The area where they are seeking their new home is not always familiar to me. Victoria is a highly populated State in a relatively small area compared to say Queensland. The knowledge that I need to truly help my client is more in depth than just knowing where the preferred suburb is.
Researching for clients is a great deal of online searching plus boots on the ground, viewing Open Homes, meeting agents and attending Auctions.
Understanding the reality of what their money will buy. A home online, even with room measurements, can appear larger or smaller in the flesh. This may be because of window placement, light, doorways, etc. On paper or computer screen, a home may appear to have everything my client wants, in real life it can be far from it.
Physically viewing the possible new home of my client
How important is it?
Doing the physical research means that I have a better understanding of homes in their area. What they actually look and feel like, how well they have been renovated etc and then seeing their sold price, all builds a picture that is vital when we are gearing up to make an offer or bid at auction.
Meeting local agents, having conversations, is also important. They get to know you, provide information and let you know about other listings they have that may suit, even off market or upcoming listings.
Meeting rather than a phone conversation. They are at an Open, their time is also open during this time rather than a phone conversation which is an interruption in their planned day. Yes, it should be a good interruption however it is an interruption all the same.
Taking a brochure to refresh my memory at the end of a long day of new areas and a variety of houses and agents. Requesting a Section 32 for more insight, taking note of the agents price guide and their comparables. Without viewing in the flesh, it’s all just paper and information. In the flesh, actually viewing,is incredibly valuable when I am speaking with clients. After all these years, I see things that an inexperienced eye may not.
Gauging the condition of a home, the standard of renovation and whether staging cleverly conceals flaws. When you are buying a home it would be rude to take down every picture, pull out every piece of furniture from walls or lift up every rug. Staging conceals a great deal. Paint can also be used to conceal – mould may be present, you may not see it or smell it with a fresh paint job. Mould gets into plaster and into wood. It is expected to some degree, at some price points or some areas (think fern gully near to a creek) in areas such as the bathroom or laundry but not in bedrooms and living spaces. A quick hint is to check the backing of curtains, if they are still in place, as mould may be visible. People can conceal a lot, it’s why curtains are often removed before the home goes on sale, however sometimes curtains are forgotten. I prefer a home that has not been freshly painted, it’s like make up, it covers alot, conceals alot.
Sometimes a client will justify why a home is perfect for them even though it may go against their original criteria. I can lead them back to this criteria, discuss the new home versus the criteria and possibly the budget, however, if a client really wants a home then I need to rapidly move into research mode to do what needs to be done, to ensure their offer is strong, and buyers remorse won’t be kicking in. A guide, not a dictator. It’s their new home after all.
Well, that’s what you have me for, a guide, your real estate counsellor, always on your side. Becoming a client is easy, we explore working together by booking a time to chat. This ensures the time is mutually convenient and we are uninterrupted. You can book here.
