Buyer Hesitation and The market is heating up

I've been busy with buyers over the last month and all of the sudden things are starting to pop for Realtors all over Columbus.
I wanted to say a few words about buyer hesitation. Don't do it.

This is an especially tough concept to grasp for first time home buyers and it is a lesson that is all too often learned after-the-fact. I bet 6 of every 10 home buyers have a story about the "one that got away."

Don't let it happen to you. If you're truly ready to buy a home, you must be able to act on instinct. Make sure that you:

• Have done your homework in regard to which part of town you want to live.

• Talked to at least one lender and have a firm pre-approval from them.

• Talked to your partner about the style of home you want.

• Know where you want your mortgage payment to be and don't waste your time looking at pricier home, stay in your comfort level and don't let your Realtor waste your time by scheduling those pricier homes. (caveat - do look at homes approximately 15% more than your top line if you want to because your Realtor should be an expert negotiator.)

• Get in as many homes as you can - especially in the early stages - so that you quickly develop a sense of the market place and what your money can buy in each neighborhood you're interested in.

• Don't depend soley on your Realtor for property options. Get out and look at websites ( www.CentralOhioRealty.com ) Get out and look at Open Houses. Get out and walk your favorite neighborhoods.

• Don't delay when you see a home that fits your needs and makes you feel all squishy inside -That's the Home, Put in an Offer!

I've seen too many clients unable to pull the trigger. Yes, that's part of my job -- to nudge you (tell you) that you've found the right house and to give you an indication of how hot a property it may be. The rest is up to you. I'm sometimes not sure how hard to press, how big a deal to make about my thoughts regarding scarcity, value and the perfect fit--after all, it's your house, not mine and all I can do is offer my professional opinion and my gut feeling.

In a nutshell, be ready to buy when you think you're ready to buy.