We expect to follow etiquette in social settings or at the office, but what about when you’re buying a home? As we discussed in a past blog, there is etiquette for home sellers that can actually affect the outcome of a transaction.
Of course this is true for home buyers, too. Here we look at some key rules and tips that home buyers should try to keep in mind while shopping for Arizona golf homes:
Get pre-approved. Many Realtors will not help home buyers start a new home search if the buyer hasn’t done the legwork to figure out what they can actually afford and what a lender will extend to them to purchase a home. It’s risky and can be a waste of time to look at properties that are simply out of the realm of possibility, so it’s good etiquette to get pre-approved as one of your first steps in the home buying process.
Likewise, be honest with your realtor about where you are in the process. If you’re just browsing or getting an idea of the market and are not ready to pack up and move yet, this is something your realtor should know.
Respect people’s time. This is a two-prong etiquette rule. First, be on time for your appointments. It’s as simple as that. Just like you, your realtor has a schedule to keep and if every client is a few minutes late, that could wreak havoc on his or her day. Not to mention that your realtor has probably called ahead and set up viewing times for the homes, so being late could mean a home seller has returned home by the time you visit.
The second part of this is the time you spend viewing a home. Usually home buyers spend 15-30 minutes in a first showing. Lingering in home longer, especially a home that you are not considering purchasing, is time that could be spent on other properties and finding your dream Scottsdale golf home. You can always narrow the choices down and go back for a second look.
On that note, you should also try to limit multiple viewings of the same property unless you are seriously interested. Of course you may want to see a strong contender a few times and even take measurements, but try to limit visits to three per property. Remember that visiting a home multiple times will indicate to your realtor and the home seller that you are interested, so it’s best not to mislead anyone or cause anxiety.
Limit your party. When you’re looking through Arizona golf course homes, it’s a good idea to limit your viewing party. The “field trip effect” of a large entourage going from home to home could make it more confusing and difficult to narrow down the properties you like or truly determine the elements that are important to you. This is also true for bringing your children with you to home viewings. Unless they are older and will have a say in the new digs, they could just be a distraction and a potential safety issue in an unknown space. Save the group viewing for when you’ve narrowed down your selections, or perhaps if you need a professional opinion on any renovations you’d like to make.
Home buyers have a lot to think about and remember when entering into the home buying process, but it’s important to keep in mind your Realtor and the home sellers also involved in the process. Trying to stand by these etiquette tips will keep the process as smooth as possible and get you well on the way to owning your new Arizona golf home!
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-405-4228
don@azgolfhomes.com
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