Have you ever been forced to decide on something big and that blunt person in your life stopped you in your tracks with, “What are you doing?” If you don’t have that someone, it may be a good idea to get one, immediately.
I graduated high school in 1979. (Did I just say that?) Easy math says that our 40-year reunion is coming up this summer. I had dated my girlfriend at the time most of my senior year. Later that same year, we got engaged and were married in the fall of 1980 at only 19 years old. Who does that? Or who let’s someone do that?
Looking back, there was not one person that questioned anything about it. If one of my kids were contemplating that at 19 years old, you bet we would have had a talk. Even if my mouth was stapled shut, I still would have found a way to speak my mind. Nineteen is way too young to get married.
Over the years, I have helped many potential buyers take the leap into home ownership. It would be impossible to count the number of homes I have shown people both young and old alike. As a sales professional my job is to present enough facts for the buyers to decide whether to buy or not to buy a property. The facts and all information we can gather are presented. The facts presented are also validated by the lender, appraiser and possibly a home inspector.
Now, how folks get to the part where a decision to purchase their home is made comes in many ways. Some make the decision immediately, some take a few days to think it over, and some never seem to decide at all. Then there are the folks that need another opinion, that blunt voice. It is often a close friend or family member that comes for that second look. If the second party is willing to be honest, this can be very good for the potential buyers. However, some are afraid to disagree with their friends even when they should. If the potential buyers are set on the purchase and are excited about the new purchase, these second opinion people may not want to do anything to squelch this excitement. The friends or family members that I respect the most are the ones that will say, “Are you really that crazy? This home is a train wreck that would be wrong for you to purchase. Run away.”
These blunt second opinions can be extremely beneficial to the potential buyer, either confirming that this house is the one or bringing to light issues the wide-eyed buyers did not see. When it does come up, I always suggest that buyers be selective. They should bring that person with them who will not be afraid to be blunt. If they bring someone who will always agree, what will possibly be gained? Bringing the right person can bring clarity to the process of selecting that perfect fit home.
If you really think about it, a second opinion can be a very good thing. We may get a second opinion regarding a medical procedure. Insurance companies often require more than one estimate for auto repair. How many times have you shopped cell phone providers for the best rate? It can end up saving you money and aggravation down the road.
One key to selecting a new home is to have all the facts without emotion. This can be very hard for many of us. When emotions play into a financial decision it can often cloud our judgement.
So, this second opinion from our blunt person can help us see past these emotions and to focus on the facts. Some of you may remember the old TV show “Dragnet.” What did the detective always say he wanted? “Just the facts.”
With all the above said, there can be exceptions. The young women I was engaged to and married in 1980 was Mary Jean Sanders. This year in September we will celebrate our 39th anniversary. We have been blessed with three children and, to date, eight grandchildren. That young kid who no one would be blunt with made a good choice all by himself. Risky, but it can happen.
Randy Butler is a lifelong resident of Highland County and a licensed real estate agent for Classic Real Estate in Hillsboro.
