You ever feel lost, not because there’s no one to guide you, but because those guiding you don’t or won’t explain to you what’s going on? This was my first home buying experience when I lived in Austin, Texas.
It’s pretty common; to have a real estate Agent ‘take care’ of everything for you. All you find yourself doing is signing and initializing on the dotted line. For me, the biggest purchase of my life, and I had no clue what was going on. Why is this all too common? Won’t someone slow down, stop, and explain to me what’s going on?
Today isn’t about my story. I’ll write about it later on (teaser… Owners went 2 weeks past closing date because one was incarcerated in California… I’m in Texas… what?). I’m here to give you 3 simple rules to abide by to avoid the pitfalls I had when I started.
Rule 1 – When you don’t know? Ask!
THE single most important idea, it’s so simple and yet we’re not trained as humans to do this. We feel we will offend someone when we ask, “What did you mean by that?” I know, it’s nature; questioning one’s authority makes us all shy. Get over it, and find out what the crap is happening with your money. If you do nothing else, follow this rule. I promise you, you will feel stronger and more knowledgeable about your purchase.
Rule 2 – Do Your Homework
I know I know, I told you to ask your agent just a moment ago, but their time is valuable too. This is another moment about empowerment and knowledge. This rule is simple. It applied in high school and it applies now. Nothing’s changed. The more homework you do, the better off you are. So, what’s my homework now, Justin? I’ll tell you in the next few days.
Rule 3 – Find an agent that matches YOU not your friend.
This one is a bit more obscure. People will recommend an agent to you, but do NOT be afraid to tell yourself, “This agent might not be for me.” My agent in Texas, she was recommended well enough, but I couldn’t stand her. She did her best, but she did not match my personality at all. Good agents are good agents, but it is also important that the good agent matches you. Not only will you have an good agent, you’ll have a friend to work and fight for your desires, and to top it off, you feel good about the whole process, too.
Yeah, for the most part, rule 3 came out of my personal experience, but Rule 1, follow it. You will be so much better off.
P.S. That’s me in front of Warren Buffet’s house on our visit to Berkshire’s Annual meeting. Yeah, richest man in the free world and I can stand in front of his house and take a picture. Pretty stinkin’ cool.
