3 Questions Atlanta Real Estate Buyers Ask

In this short post, I would like to have some fun with a few questions that are quickly becoming the norm versus the exception. In the end though, even I agree that buyers and their agents have the right to ask any questions they desire and I will give them the best answers that I can provide. My point here is to highlight that some questions are truly more detrimental than they may appear. In my follow up to this article, I will list questions that provide some real value for a buyer:

3 questions to a Listing Agent that have ZERO value and actually hurt a buyers standing.

1) How much do you think the seller will take?

The Listing Agent probably does not know and even if the seller has told the agent, there is fluff built into that number. So in the end, the Listing Agent really does not know. Furthermore, if the listing agent knew for certain this listing was the king of all deals, the property would no longer be in the MLS. It would be SOLD.

Question Really Implies: “I really do not want to put myself out and actually earn some choice equity in a home.”

2) Is the seller hurting?

What difference does this really make? Even if they are hurting, the seller may be less likely to negotiate because they are negotiating a short sale, filing bankruptcy, or have reached the “Point of NO Return” and no longer care if they lose the home.

Question Really Implies: “Taking advantage of a person in a bad situation is more important than doing my research, locating a property, and negotiating a great buy.”

3) Is the seller willing to negotiate?

In my opinion, if a property is priced in line with direct comparable properties then the answer is “YES”. If it is priced extremely high or extremely low then the answer is probably “NO”. Motivated sellers (not desperate) will price property to be competitive and do expect some haggling. Dreamers (those with high price expectations) are usually too proud and get offended easily by realistic offers. On the other hand, Desperate situations with Lower than average price points tend to sell very fast and near full price. (IE if it is a deal, it goes quick!)

Question Really Implies: “I am somewhat interested but I am hoping that we won’t have to negotiate because I am very uncomfortable with that.”