Snap!

Snap! My son hit the ground, pain etched into his expression. He had pulled his hamstring while running to first base during his high school baseball team tryouts. In that one split second, he had virtually eliminated his chances for a spot on the team. A freshman with promise and a love of baseball, his season was over before it had even begun. From high hopes to dashed dreams, all I could do as his mother was offer my sympathies, some Tylenol, and an ice bag for the swelling.

Missing out on ones dreams is scenario buyers often face as well. Intent on purchasing, they can find their hopes dashed in one swift move by a quick agent and a willing buyer. Well-intentioned buyers who hesitate at the plate are finding that a more aggressive buyer has snapped up the property they waffled over. When that happens, the only thing their agent can offer is his/her sympathy and some Tylenol for the pain!

Whereas listings of the past few years followed a pattern of two Sunday Opens, a Brokers Tour, and then an offer date (with multiple offers being the norm) sellers are now welcoming the "bird in the hand" and are more often listening to offers as presented. With press reports that have left some sellers feeling less than secure in the market, a willing, able and performing buyer is more appreciated than ever. Savvy sellers and experienced agents know that the first offer is usually the best. Waiting to see if a second offer comes in higher almost always results in a poorer outcome. And giving perspective buyers too much time to ponder a property’s defects can result in fewer buyers in the game altogether.

So what is the moral of my little baseball analogy?

If you are really intent on buying, step up and bat. Pent-up demand is high and the few desirable properties now hitting the market are flying off the shelf in a few days, not a few weeks. Even if you don’t hit a home run the first time up, each property you lose serves to refine your skills, define your priorities, and educate you about the process. You may not hit it out of the ballpark, but eventually, you’ll get on base. There’s no shame in striking out swinging, but there is real dissatisfaction in never taking a swing at all.