SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES
Four wonderful ways to annoy a home seller
Apr 14, 2014, 10:22 AM | Updated: Mar 4, 2016, 5:47 am
The most popular home-buying season has arrived. Inventory is down and buyers are competing for homes in popular neighborhoods.
If you are seriously considering a home purchase, do you all can to start in a positive light with a seller.
Bankrate.com recently highlighted several ways that homebuyers have been annoying some sellers recently, including:
Disrespectful house visitors: Some buyers may not be respectful when touring a home, letting their child run wild or bounce on the furniture, cranking up the heat and air conditioning, or even using the restroom. When in doubt, keep money and buying strategy for another place.
Submitting a long list of defects: Ron Phipps, a former president of the National Association of Realtors, says buyers are doing themselves a disservice when submitting an offer with a long list of what’s wrong with the house. It makes sellers question why the buyers would want the place. Instead, Phipps recommends a gentler approach: Submit a list of comparables with the offer as well as a personal letter where buyers introduce themselves and explain why they want the house. In the letter, they can mention two or three of the major issues with the house while keeping it neutral and referencing third-party, empirical sources.
Too many trips: After buyers have committed to purchase a home, they often want to make lots of visits to their future home, bringing the decorators, architects as well and entire family with them. The sellers may find the constant visits disruptive, however, as they’re busy packing and possibly doing repairs to meet a deadline. Buyers might consider scheduling a visit while the inspector is present as well as another visit during the final walkthrough before closing.
Renegotiation: Buyers may agree on the price but then repeatedly demand concessions and discounts. Many nitpick the home inspection. For example, buyers may realize the furnace has about five good years left and then make a demand for a new furnace or monetary equivalent. A realistic buyer knows everything’s not going to be perfect.
