Buyer Tips

1. Everything starts with (AND I MEAN EVERYTHING) starts with you saying, "this is where I want to live".  We can figure out the rest.
2. Make a list of 3 must haves. Another list of 3-5 like to haves.  If you get all your must haves and half the like to haves, you probably have the right home.
3. Don't let the search for perfection stop you from finding the right house.  You likely won't find perfect.  Use #2 above and you'll find the right one.
4. Never buy a price, buy a house.  Sure, price is important but the joy of the right house will always outweigh the sting of the wrong house.
5. Rich will provide the science (comps, trends, market data), you provide the art (how you feel about the house). Combine both to find the right home!
6. "Y" Principle. your agent can't make decisions for you, he will provide the information you need to make a good decision.  Then you can decide whether go left or right at the "Y" in the road.
7. GO!!!!!! Go look at the house!  If it might be the right one, go see it!  You can't order a home through UBER EATS!
8. Decide if you need a place to live OR your dream home!  Those are 2 different real estate journeys, make sure you are on the right road!
9. Your realtors knowledge should be widespread. Inspection review, Title work, Mortgage Options, Negotiation Skills, Understand the psychology of the deal, Taxes, HOA rules, Building Codes, and more.
10. Don't wait!  If you find it, buy it!  Don't miss a house because its not convenient to get the offer in.
11. Don't let a nickel hold up a dollar. Don't let a few dollars stop you from getting the right house. Its not about the how you feel about the seller or any other entity in the transaction, its about the price and the home.  In other words, its about the deal.
12. Your expectations in the quality and amenities should go up as you push your buying limit.  Make sure you get more if you spend more, that isn't necessarily the case!
13. Don't get angry!  Real estate can be emotional.  Anger is the enemy of success.  Stay calm, think it through and don't lose sight of the goal...getting the right house!
14. Avoid minutiae!  This applies to inspections a lot.  Trying to debate with the seller on  whether something needs repaired or not will exhaust a lot of energy.  Negotiate a fair price reduction or a cash credit.  Avoid debating repairs, you and the seller will most likely see those things differently.
15. Don't let 2 or 3 days a year affect all the other days.  In other words, people often will make a buying decision and miss out on a perfect home, because the house won't work that 1 time a year they have their fantasy draft, or the 1 weekend the in-laws come in to town. Buy a home for the 363 days a year usage, not the 2 days a year.
16. Your Ridin' Realtor will be the orchestra leader but you own the auditorium. HUH? The RR will make sure title, mortgage and inspectors do their job but YOU make the decisions!  You give the orders because its your money and your home!  I advise, I don't decide!
17. Let yourself win! This is where emotion can come into play.  Don't get so engaged with winning the negotiation that you lose the house.
18. The garage is the most important room in the house (OK, This might be only in the Ridin' Realtor House)
19. Being a Realtor is being a salesperson. Make sure your realtor is a salesperson and a negotiator!
20. Creativity can get you the house.  Out of the box thinking can win in a competitive market.
21. Its better to miss a house than make a decision too quickly.  There is no exact right number of houses you should see.  You'll feel it when you find the right one.
22. When any part of the buying process gets complicated, SIMPLIFY!
23. There is a direct connection between the heart and the wallet.  If the heart loves it, the wallet will open up!  The head will try and make sure that doesn't happen. Make sure you get advice that brings harmony to the head, the heart and the wallet!
24. The house search should be enjoyable!  If it isn't, you're doing it wrong and so is your realtor!