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Health & Fitness

Let Your Realtor Be the Gladiator

People searching for a Laguna Beach home often work harder than necessary. Laguna Beach Realtor Hillary Caston demonstrates how and when to put the burden on your agent.

We’re jumping into new territory this week. Call it a more personal direction. It’s all part of our mission to stay relevant. Which raises a couple of key questions? – Have any past articles really grabbed you? Ruffled your feathers? Shoot me a quick email: Hillary@hillarycaston.com

Anyway, I’m tired of watching Orange County home shoppers stumble. So I’m hitting you with info that will change your home buying experience for the better. But first, which of the following describes you?

  • Fact-Finder: Information gatherer and disseminator, home searcher, fearless neighborhood explorer, ‘For Sale’ sign spotter, and tireless noodge.
  • Decision-Maker: Involvement limited to giving final stamp of approval and saying ‘yes, dear’.  

Come on, confess. I’ll go easier on you.

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As a realtor, my first job is to pinpoint the Fact Finder right off the bat. It’s imperative to establish a rapport with this crazy, info-hungry crusader who explores an average of 3 or 4 websites such as Zillow, Realtor.com, and The Coastal Property Experts. FYI, only The Coastal Property Experts offers listings updated every 24 hours. Just something to think about in case you want to stay current.

Is scouring millions of websites enough for the Fact-Finder? Nope. This mad hunter also will explore every possible street seeking a ‘For Sale’ sign, especially the bonanza reading -- ‘For Sale By Owner.’ The Fact-Finder is subconsciously racing to find a home ahead of the realtor. The Decision Maker on the other hand is bravely glued to the latest in a series of football games.

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After thirty days of striking out, the frustrated Fact-Finder will make previously-unthinkable concessions. Maybe expand the search beyond Laguna Beach homes to include Dana Point homes. Or this person will think it won’t be so bad driving from a $2 million view home perched on a hilltop, instead of strolling to the sand from the front door. In certain cases the buyer will go all out and consent to trudging up a flight of stairs instead of enjoying the ultimate luxury of a single-story. Ever make such a concession? What’s the biggest one you’ve made?

For weeks on end, the Fact-Finder will be on an urgent home-buying mission, schlepping the bewildered decision-making spouse out to neighborhood after neighborhood, home after home. Placating the spouse, the Decision-Maker will become a fountain of ‘yes, dears’.

Despite their heroic efforts, however, the couple will turn up empty-handed. The Fact-Finder is just too desperate. And now, after months of tireless exploring, everyone is bug-eyed exhausted. The Fact-Finder, agent, kids, and even the family dog would rather run freezing through Antarctica then take another car trip. The only player in relatively good shape is the Decision Maker. This hearty individual has been biding time watching football gladiators kick butt.

Important Information! So, how will you find an Orange County home once you’ve reached the breaking point? By letting it come to you. That’s right. Put yourself on pause and let your agent slog through the trenches. Believe me, in ten days to two weeks, this hard-working gladiator will discover a perfect property newly-arrived on the market. At this point, the agent will contact the Fact-Finder and exclaim “pack up the kids, the Decision-Maker, and the checkbook. I’m showing you your new home!”  All the agent needs to do is open the door and say ‘welcome home!’ 

All of which goes to demonstrate an important fact of real estate life that I just can’t stress enough – shopping for an Orange County home is a well-timed process. Like finding your true love, when it’s meant to be, it will happen. Don’t try to win the battle alone. That’s what your agent is for.

Are you ready to discover your ideal Orange County home in record time? Contact the caring professionals at The Coastal Property Experts today to schedule your complimentary consultation.  We promise you’ll discover your perfect opportunity in the Orange County and Laguna Beach real estate markets…much sooner than you think.

The Coastal Property Experts

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