JULIE GARDNER
  • HOME
  • COMPASS
    • WHY COMPASS?
    • COMPASS CONCIERGE
    • COMPASS BRIDGE LOANS
  • LISTINGS
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT JULIE
    • A DYNAMIC PARTNERSHIP
    • CONTACT
    • PROCESS
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • PRESS
  • PROJECTS
    • BEFORE & AFTER
    • GARDENS
    • OUR TEAM
    • VIDEOS
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • UTILITIES
    • SCHOOLS

There's a New Man in My Life!

3/31/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
There's a new man in my life. (Thank goodness.) His name is Phil, and his company is Pawderosa. 

Not that I'm trading in my husband after 28 years of wedded bliss (okay, not always bliss, but always laughs), it's just that with the addition of our new puppy, it was definitely time to bring in a professional dog trainer.

With all due respect to group puppy classes, they just weren't getting the job done and given that Riley is going to be fairly large (60 lbs or so), the more obedient, the better. Can I say for the record that Phil isn't just a "dog trainer," he's the frippin' "Dog Whisperer!"

When Phil shows up on Sunday morning - dog treats and smile at the ready -Riley will do just about anything for him. At which point, Phil breaks into a happy dance and becomes totally animated (so does Riley):

"Sit"
"Down"
"Stay"
"Place" (I love that one.)
"Front"
"Riley, come"
"Good job!"

"You gotta make this fun for him," Phil joyfully explains, another jig at the ready. 

If only it were this easy to train each other. 

So let's be totally honest, Phil's not just training Riley to respond to these basic commands, he's also training Cliff and me. If we aren't consistent with the training once Phil departs, then puppy mayhem quickly ensues.Thus, every pocket in my wardrobe is currently filled with doggie snacks which is why Riley is so quick to please. "Good boy, Riley." 

I bring this all up because it occurs to me that life is a series of trainings. First as toddlers ("Don't touch!"), then as teens ("Home by midnight!"), then as college co-eds ("Study!"), and then as adults (Take out the garbage!). In fact, every single job (or relationship) I've ever had has involved a high degree of "training," including my current career as Realtor. This is never more true than when we are being pushed out of our comfort zone, as is so often the case. 

So it should be no surprise that "training" is part of the journey for any successful Buyer as well. It starts with you getting pre-approved for a loan, and then moves into honing your skills at a Saturday or Sunday Open, followed by the ins and outs of quickly digesting a disclosure package, and finally, how to write a winning offer. (Sellers get "training" as well, but that's another piece for another day.)

While your observations may all be honest, stating your concerns out loud in front of the listing Agent may torpedo any hopes of acquiring the house. 
Here's what you DON'T say publicly if BUYING ranks high on your list: 
 
"This is a really odd layout."
"This house seems overpriced; do you know if they'll take less?"
"I noticed that the roof could use some repairs."
"We're prepared to offer on another house if this one doesn't come together."
"So how old is the foundation?"
(Need I say more???)

In truth, you can only hurt yourself by "sharing" your negative opinions about a home in front of the Realtor (or the other guests). Believe me, the last person a Seller wants to get into contract with is the Buyer looking to renegotiate before getting into contract. In other words, from the moment you set foot inside a house, you are essentially auditioning for the role. Please, PLEASE save your assessments (no matter how accurate they may be) for private viewings with your own Agent outside of the Sunday Open. 

Not that objections aren't a critical part of the process; they absolutely are. In fact, my boss DJ Grubb, would assert that Buyers must always work through objections in order to truly engage with a property (advanced training). It's just that how such objections are framed, will ultimately decide whether or not you have a shot at the home at all. In short, it wouldn't hurt to wag your tale puppy-like when viewing a property that really speaks to you. 

So if you are indeed interested in purchasing a house, and not just making a hobby out of Sunday Opens (yes, there are people who do that), make it your mission to tell the Agent: "This is beautiful. I can really see my family living here. We absolutely love it!" (Beg? Certainly, if it gets the job done.)

And then work behind the scenes to air out your concerns, opinions, thoughts, etc., with your own empathetic Realtor. Together you can decide whether such objections factor into the offer price (or not), or work themselves out accordingly. 

And if the home doesn't rock you world, or there are too many high hurdles to jump, move on. There will be others soon enough with the understanding that every rejection informs the next decision and further educates us about the marketplace, so it's ALL good training. Either way, don't overthink the process, or you'll likely get left behind. 

"Place!" (Works for me.)

How can I help you?

Check out my Instagram at: piedmontrealtorgirl
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Subscribe

    Author

    Julie Gardner, has been writing The Perspective for 18 years and has published more than 670 essays on life and real estate. 

    Picture

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009
    January 2009
    December 2008
    November 2008
    October 2008
    September 2008
    August 2008
    July 2008
    June 2008
    May 2008
    April 2008
    March 2008

    Categories

    All
    Business
    Design
    Drought
    Holiday
    Home Maintenance
    Homes For Sale
    Life
    Market
    Politics
    Renovation

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Piedmont · Oakland · Berkeley
 510.326.0840
julie@juliegardner.com
DRE# 01431765
​COMPASS

  • HOME
  • COMPASS
    • WHY COMPASS?
    • COMPASS CONCIERGE
    • COMPASS BRIDGE LOANS
  • LISTINGS
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT JULIE
    • A DYNAMIC PARTNERSHIP
    • CONTACT
    • PROCESS
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • PRESS
  • PROJECTS
    • BEFORE & AFTER
    • GARDENS
    • OUR TEAM
    • VIDEOS
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • UTILITIES
    • SCHOOLS