I am working with a couple who are looking for a larger home to accommodate their growing family. During a recent showing appointment where we had been to about half a dozen properties looking for a “possible maybe” candidate for their next home, we were making final plans to get their existing home on the market. They, like most folks, need to sell before they can buy. We discussed what finishing touches they need to make to their place and what they can expect once officially on the market.
The wife was getting visibly more tense as talked about her home being shown, having open houses, photos being taken and posted online. She then asked, “Which do you think is more stressful: buying or selling”?
“Selling”, I replied, without hesitation.
While the home buying process can seem scary and intimidating, selling is downright nerve-wracking.
To have the best result when trying to sell your home, you need to put its best foot forward. You are inviting total strangers to come inside where you eat, sleep, bathe and unwind. You set yourself up for criticism and rejection. Let’s face it, unless you are fortunate enough to have the first person who comes through your home make and offer, you are by definition being rejected by every person who looks and takes a pass.
It’s like not being in grade and not being picked for kickball all over again.
And you need to remain in a constant state of readiness. No dishes in the sink, no carpets left un-vacuumed, dust-bunnies constantly being corralled. And you need to leave for a couple of hours at a time, whether you have somewhere to go or not. And for most sellers you can’t buy your next house until somebody decides to buy yours so your life is on hold waiting for some stranger to step up to the plate.
All in all, its a dreadful experience.
But its one where, when completed, you get to move to the next part of your life.
Just be prepared to be stressed. And excited. And disappointed. And gratified.
And whenever in doubt, vacuum.
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The thoughts & opinions are mine. The quips that fall flat are someone else’s. Please feel free to shoot me an email with a question or a good joke.
And remember, real estate agents aren’t bad. We’re just drawn that way.
