Emotions seem to be running high with buyers and sellers these days.
I state the obvious when I say the market is tough out there. It can be brutal sometimes. And this has pushed levels of frustration, sensitivity, and even anger to a new high.
Sellers don't understand how a buyer can't see the value of the work they've done to the house over the past several years. And buyers wonder how the seller can't see that the dated carpet and knicked up counters need some attention.
How can I help my buyers and sellers--and quite frankly me--keep these emotions in check?
I'm not sure I have a definitive answer. But I do think it's important to remember we look at things from a perspective other than our own. Sellers have a different perspective than buyers and vice versa. And if we all have the same goal in mind -- to close the deal -- it is likely we'll have to step out of our shoes and into someone else's to make that happen.
When you know the amount of blood, sweat and tears that went into updating those cabinets, installing the new floor, or painting those 10 foot walls, in your mind, the value of your house just went up. But remember -- updates that were made 10, 15, 20 years ago likely need attention again.
When you know that you will want to replace the worn carpet, install updated counters, and refinish those scratched hardwood floors, in your mind, the value of the house just went down a little. But remember -- there's a difference between updating and repairing worn or broken things versus changing something to suit your personal taste.
Bottom line -- both the seller and the buyer want the same outcome, which is to close the deal. Looking at things from a different perspective might just help you achieve that goal.
