The Piedmont Perspective - Nuance Vol 347

It's official, baseball season is here at last and I couldn't be more excited . . . or more heartsick. It's Tristan's last year at Piedmont High School and if he doesn't elect to play at the college level, this may be the twilight of his baseball career (sigh).

As a baseball mom, I've loved watching both my boys run the bases and swing the bat; although admittedly, it's been an easier journey for Tristan than it ever was for Case. (Many big league dreams have ended on the curve pitch alone. Ask every adult male in America and they'll tell you the minute that came true for them.)

In fact, short of muddy uniforms, I've loved everything about the game; loved the wins and losses, loved the camaraderie, loved the coaches (most of them), loved the parents and grandparents on the bleachers (my homies) and loved the tough lessons learned. Baseball is a microcosm of life. . .

Last year, in an attempt to keep me focused on the action on the field (instead of my phone) my husband taught me to keep the official box score and an amazing thing happened along the way. I not only got pretty good at following the runs, hits, and errors of the players on both benches, but I began to see the nuances of the game. (Ah yes grasshopper, she can be taught!)

"You know baseball so much better than you used to," Tristan said the other night at dinner. (Um, I think that was meant as a compliment.)

He's right, I do. Sadly, it only took me 20 years to get there and as much as I hate to admit that my husband might have been onto something, the simple truth is that I do now know the ins and outs of the game far better than I ever did before. As it turns out, baseball involves more than just keeping your eye on the ball. (Who'd a thunk?)

So as your Realtor, let me share a few nuances of the game . . .

• When you visit an open house, you're essentially auditioning for the role (and so is your agent). Perish the Buyer or the Realtor who arrives and criticizes the property out loud. The showing agent is noting every word. (Next!)

• Every home isn't selling in an ALL-CASH exchange (it just feels that way). In fact the majority of properties are still selling with financing attached, BUT the lender does indeed make a difference. As with Realtors, work locally!
  

• Yes, that's a repeating theme for me: work locally! This is never more true than when it comes to your Realtor. An out-of-area agent may be "all that," in his or her own territory, but you are shooting yourself in the foot to expect him/her to follow the inventory outside his/her own neighborhood. There's really not enough time in the day to keep track of all sides of the bay. (Trust me on this one.)
  

• With offer dates set in stone, the race may not go to the swiftest, but it does often go to the most persistent. I don't mean you should pester the Seller's agent, but you certainly want to stay on top of the competition at the gate. You also need to know exactly what the Seller is looking for (besides large stock piles of cash). Some Sellers need to stay in their home until the school year ends, while others are ready to close tomorrow. Customizing your offer to meet the Sellers needs can make a BIG difference in the outcome.
  

• The race also goes to the most decisive. I know it's agony, but waffling should be saved for Sunday morning brunches (with real maple syrup please). While you equivocate over whether to step in now or wait for the market to shift, someone else not only bought the property you should have, but the market steadily rose as more buyers entered the race. This isn't a market that allows you to sit in indecision. In fact, you'll be heavily penalized for it. Work the market you are in, or sit it out, but don't waste time sitting on the fence. That being said, don't "force the fit" either - buyers who reluctantly bid, tend to fall out of escrow rather quickly.
  

• Yes, I know you don't want to "overpay" for the house, but NO ONE ever nudges out the competition in the first round by a few dollars. Buying a home isn't like a horse race; you don't win by a nose except in the second round of counter offers and honestly, I wouldn't bet on it.  Swing for the fences and definitively claim the house. Otherwise, you'll find yourself in a multiple counter situation that becomes little more than a popularity contest and will ultimately cost you MORE in the long run. Don't think about what the next party offered or whether or not you could have gotten the property for less. That way lies madness (truly). If the objective it to get the house, GET THE HOUSE!
  

• Not all homes are the same. Location, condition and style of a property are hugely important to value, but especially when a market turns south. (Remember ALL markets are cyclical). Good houses sell in any market, irrespective of the economic conditions, while problematic properties are well, problematic, and take the biggest hit in a down market. Correct what's correctable and avoid those inherent defects that are not (busy street, lots of stairs to the front door, poor construction). Skip these challenges altogether if possible, and you should be well rewarded, or at least well buffered should the market flip.
  

• It's almost impossible to under price a home, but very easy to overprice it. As special as your house may be, the sale down the street has set your value so pay close attention, avoid letting your emotions carry you away, AND ignore the anomalies (they're the exception, not the rule!). Misstep on list price and it could cost you BIG bucks in the end.
  

• Yes, home are investments, but . . . they're not really. If that were true, we'd all buy our houses pragmatically instead of emotionally and they'd always pencil out. (Say what?)  In simple math, homes are long-term investments that if cared for properly and paid down over time, can be an excellent nest egg when it comes time to sell. Avoid using the equity in your home like an ATM or a piggy bank and you'll have a good shot at creating some REAL dollars over time. Oh and btw - it's not so much about the price you paid, as the price to own.  Focus on the affordability and the opportunity as opposed to the cost.
  

• Markets go UP and markets go down, the only time you need to worry about the equity in your home is when you decide to sell it. So focus less on the dollars and enjoy and care for the home you have.  For the majority of us, our homes are our single largest asset, so they are worth a little TLC.
  

Oops, I see I've gone into extra innings, but the long and short of it is that homes are bought and sold by those that get in the game. If you never get up to bat, there's no way to hit the ball, let alone deliver a home run. So grab your bat, walk to the plate, do a few stretches and then swing away. Let your best efforts speak for themselves. That's all that any of us can ask or expect. "Swing, batter, batter, swing!"

How can I help you?   (P.S. -You can follow my ongoing renovation on my new Blog: Renovation Riptide. I invite your comments and stories. )

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