“6 GREAT Ways to Beat the Stress of Buying”

People have many different needs when it comes to buying a new home, but I’ve found that there are two common needs in most every transaction.  The first need is transactional, like finding a home that is just right for you, with a realistic seller willing to negotiate the price.  Other transactional needs include filling out the paperwork, managing the escrow account, and arranging for the move.  The second need is emotional aspect of moving, which is usually the most stressful.  Any real estate agent should be able to handle your transactional needs, but the ideal real estate agent will fulfill both your transactional and emotional needs.  This person is competent with both paperwork and numbers, but will also guide, direct, and counsel you through the emotional ups and downs of moving.

1. Keep your eyes focused on the prize!  Draw a mental picture of what life will be like in your new home.  Put it down on paper if necessary.  You need to remind yourself why you’re moving in the first place and think of all the aspects of your new home that will be better than where you are now.  When things get stressful and anxiety threatens to get the better of you, focus on your future goals and achieving them.

2. Be flexible:  I suggest you overestimate your monetary calculations by a thousand dollars.  In today’s real estate market, anything can happen between your contract being accepted and the actual closing.  For example, the home owner’s inspection could reveal something the seller refuses to fix, interest rates could change and affect your necessary down payment and closing costs, your new construction may not be finished yet, etc.  Most buyers become angry when reality doesn’t match up with their expectations.  If you anticipate this happening you won’t get angry and you may even be pleasantly surprise with a smooth and stress-free closing.  Remember, when dealing with real estate last minute challenges seem to always pop up, but as your Realtor I will strive to tie up any loose ends as quickly as possible. 

3. Have faith in the process:  There are so many things to do and so many questions that need answers, it’s easy to panic.  You wonder if you’re making the right decision, if things will ever work out, etc.  When my husband and I bought our first home we couldn’t sleep the night before we made the offer!  We thought we were taking a big risk, but the truth is we were giving ourselves a great opportunity.  As humans we worry when we can’t see every step of the way, but as you move towards your goals, the road opens up.  I know that moving is a stressful and major upheaval in your life because as a military family we’ve been there many, many times before!  Please trust that I’ll be looking out for you and your family every step of the way in achieving your ultimate goal – a new house!

4. Become Knowledgeable:  In order to avoid feeling completely out of control through the transition process, I will keep you informed of what’s going on, educate you the best I can, and let you in on the “behind the scenes” events.  It may feel like the seller, lender, appraiser, and inspector all have the power to say yes or no to your moving plans, but with the right knowledge you can stay informed and “in the loop.”

5. What are my options?  When things don’t go as smoothly as you would like, don’t let emotions take control of your decision making.  Always ask yourself “What are my options?” because you always have options.  Try to weigh the pros and cons to avoid making a rash decision.  For example, if the loan approval process is taking longer than expected don’t get angry and start all over again with a new lender.  That could take weeks and you would have to go through the entire process of submitting paperwork all over again!  Instead, if the lender is doing their best, it may be a better idea to give them a few more days.  Every case is unique, but by asking yourself this question you could help defuse a frustrating situation and restore rational decision making skills.

6. Get your mind off it:  When there’s nothing you can do to control the situation, try to take your mind off it all together.  Maybe your new construction needs another week to be completed, or your loan that was supposed to be approved on Friday won’t be approved now until Monday.  Whatever the case may be, try to take your mind off the situation by doing something completely different where you aren’t powerless.  Go for a hike, play golf, take in a movie, get out of town for awhile.  Now would be a good time to use whatever diversion works best for you.  Try to think about something else for a change and get through one day at a time.

Susan Markham’s Remedies to the Stress of Buying a New Home

      -         Offer my best researched and informed advice with your best interests in mind.
-         Clarify your moving goals and motivation and work from there.
-         Provide information and recommendations to help the move go smoothly for your children
      and pets.
-         Effectively negotiate the best possible price for your new home.
-         Treat your entire transaction like my own, minimizing every possible expense.
-         Protect your interests during the entire process (especially escrow) by keeping detailed
      records of the transaction.
-         Be available and approachable for questions and concerns throughout the entire process.
-         Counsel you through any feelings of uncertainty or “buyer’s remorse.”
-         Keep you informed and educated on every possibility so you’ll feel more in control.
-         Alert you immediately of any changes or problems.
-         Contact you often during the last few days of the transaction to serve your needs.
-         Provide guidance with local movers, change of address, setting up or shutting off utilities, etc.
-         Attend the closing to answer any last minute questions and provide moral support.
-         Continue to provide follow-up information and valuable advice after the transaction. 

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