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My first house I looked at twice - once with a friend, the second time with my parents. We had parental approval actually written into the contract.
The second house, just once, but we stayed about two hours. The owner was home, and we spent a lot of time chatting with him, going back inside to look again, etc.
I went three times before putting in an offer. This was not my first house purchase, but it was my first one in the US (despite being from here) so I was a little apprehensive. I had the luxury of buying in a buyer's market, though.
My first house I looked at twice - once with a friend, the second time with my parents. We had parental approval actually written into the contract.
The second house, just once, but we stayed about two hours. The owner was home, and we spent a lot of time chatting with him, going back inside to look again, etc.
That's just crazy having the parents written into the contract. As seller I'd wonder, what, am I dealing with a baby? I'd laugh my you know what off and tend to not take the contract seriously but would consider a deal pending no other offers.
Gawd! The very last thing I'd ever want to do is meet the seller or buyer. I want two firewalls: my agent and their agent.
I've been shown houses where the seller walked around with me and gave me a non-stop sales pitch until I finally took my agent aside and told her to get this woman off my back or we're leaving.
Nor do I want the seller hovering like they expect I'm going to steal something, or that I'm plundering their underwear drawer. When I sold my last house I put the family jewels in a place where they were safe (intended joke) and drove up the block and watched my house until the potential buyers left.
I bought a house just this week where the woman who owned it was just as nice, she got the heck out of there when I wanted to see it. Beautiful house! We are scheduled to close before the end of the month.
I went three times before putting in an offer. This was not my first house purchase, but it was my first one in the US (despite being from here) so I was a little apprehensive. I had the luxury of buying in a buyer's market, though.
Three showings is not unreasonable, particularly if you are uncomfortable.
Don't count on that buyer's market lasting. Despite the government doing everything it can to ruin the market. Or it seems that way to me.
My market (Phoenix) seems to be leveling off from buyer's to neutral these last few months.
The second time is like, tomorrow! It can be the second time in the same day if the market is moving fast.
I saw my house for the first time on Thursday, I was either the first or second showing. My gut told me this is the place! I didn't need any second time. I went back to my Realtor's office and had a meeting with her and her broker. They said the seller's agent was going to present his offers to the seller on Tuesday.
I asked my broker, "What will it take for me to get this house without a bidding war?" He told me. I gasped! I thought about 3-4 minutes and then said fine, that's what we'll offer. Only do not contact the seller's agent at all. Maintain "radio silence!" We put together our offer and I told them to deliver it late Monday afternoon.
Tuesday was hell but by early evening the reply came: Since my offer was cash and several $K over the rest, they'd accept my offer if I could close in 18 days. Like heck yes! Actually we closed in 21 days because they were slow on the HOA stuff and I insisted on my 2 days allowed to read and understand the HOA rules.
But you're right. You gotta understand the speed of the market. If your market is a few DOM to under contract then your second and final showing needs to be same day, and your offer in that night.
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