How many homes does an average home-buyer look at before deciding on one?
April 09, 2010
For all the real estate agents out there: We are looking for our first home. I don’t want to annoy our real estate agent. How many homes does one normally look at? Like…20, or more like 100??
If you have an agent that understands you then it should be no more then 4-5. The agent will not waste everyones time on homes that are not going to be what you want.
If you are being unreasonable, wanting the million dollar home for 200k you could end up looking at 100. But, you will go though agents before that happens, they will know you are not serious right away and not waste their time and gas on you.
April 9th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
I am not a real estate agent, but am buying a house. We looked at maybe 5 before we found the one we want. That is what we physically looked at. You can view so many now by virtual tour and narrow it down also at realtor.com that we didn’t feel like we needed to SEE so many in person that we knew had things we didn’t like. Realtor.com is a great resource. Don’t know how people did before it.
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April 9th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
2-4. However, a "regular" listing
agent will take you to every
possible house that they have
listed to see if it can possibly match
your needs. That is lunacy. and
unethical.
a BUYER"S agent will only take you
to houses that match what you want; price, location, color, size, etc.
ONLY contact an office that has
available either an "exclusive
buyer’s agency office" [the preferred way] or, if none are in your city,
….
…an agent with whom you sign
an agreement AS A BUYER’S AGENT, and that he/she may
NOT represent any seller that he has under contract [as a listing agent] under any circumstances while he is helping you find a house! [or, to
re-phrase, he will not show you
any house listed by that office, nor negotiate with any seller whose
house is listed by their office.
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RE broker
April 9th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
I would say my average buyer looks at around 7 homes before making a decision. Even if they walk into the one they want first, I make sure they at least look at a few others so they know for sure. 20 homes is possible, but 100 will drive you, and your agent crazy. There should be no need to see that many.
References :
April 9th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
If you have an agent that understands you then it should be no more then 4-5. The agent will not waste everyones time on homes that are not going to be what you want.
If you are being unreasonable, wanting the million dollar home for 200k you could end up looking at 100. But, you will go though agents before that happens, they will know you are not serious right away and not waste their time and gas on you.
References :
April 9th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
With the internet, your agent is going to expect you to do your homework.
Get a pre-approval – this will save time & $ later.
Be reasonable in your expectations.
Know your neighborhoods, schools, etc. (Again research and driving around)
Don’t expect your buyer’s agent to put in more time than you are willing to do.
Buying a home can be exhausting, even if you’re prepared. Don’t stress yourself out, don’t look at too many homes in one day. And don’t put limitations on how many is too many?
Really review the process you’re using, what the buyer’s agent is doing for you and your price. Never, ever buy at the highest level you can afford. Taxes and insurance goes up every year – guaranteed. Don’t buy the "priciest" house in the neighborhood – stay within the median price of all the homes. Value will stay steady for everyone. If you overspend, you overspend.
There are some great books out there which discuss buying/selling a home. Consider everything negotiable. Be polite and productive with no unreasonable demands on your agent or homeowners.
good luck…
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