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Health & Fitness

Fact or Myth? The 'Stress-Free' Real Estate Transaction

Some agents claim they can take care of everything in your real estate transaction and you don't need to worry about a thing until the closing is over. Is that really possible?

I’m sure you have seen or heard advertisements from real estate agents stating that they can provide you a stress-free real estate transaction.  They claim that they will take care of everything and you can basically go to Tahiti and not worry about a thing until the closing is over.  Is that really possible?  You are selling or buying a HOUSE!  I have worked with out-of-town sellers and buyers who were physically removed from the transaction but that didn’t mean that they were able to mentally check out and leave everything to me.  Sellers and buyers have responsibilities along the way.  Agents help negotiate and take care of the paperwork but the parties involved, the seller and buyer, need to make the final decisions during the negotiating process and points afterward.  They are the ones with the vested interest in the house.

It is impossible for an agent to promise a smooth or stress-free home buying or selling experience.  There will be stress from the moment the buyer writes the offer to the closing when keys are exchanged.  It is not possible for any agent to remove all of the stress.  Deadlines are tight.  Coordinating home inspections, roof inspections, radon and/or water tests, estimates from contractors, and possibly municipality code compliance inspections takes time, organization and patience.  The seller could reject the buyer’s offer or negotiate on multiple offers.  The unforeseen hiccup with the lender can happen where financing is delayed or lost.  A severe storm can bring a tree down into the living room.  The heat exchanger on the furnace is cracked or the water heater springs a leak.  Anything can happen from accepted offer to closing.

There’s a reason why people say that buying or selling a home is stressful.  That’s because it is!  But a good real estate agent can guide you through the stressful moments.  She can help to lighten your stress-load by offering a calm demeanor and clearly guiding you to a successful outcome of the situation that has arisen.  ”Stress-free” is for the spa or Tahiti, not real estate.

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Want to comment?  I would be interested to hear your thoughts.  Whether you are a seller or buyer, if you would like a personal real estate consultation, please visit my website.

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