Too many buyers engage in habits that repel homeowners, rather than attract them. In addition to simply being rude, these behaviors can also reduce the likelihood the seller will be willing to work with the seller during the offer process, potentially costing the buyer more in the long run. The following list represents a few ways buyers may be scaring away sellers without realizing it.

It’s surprising how many buyers decide to just not show up to a showing. When they schedule it, a lot of people are involved, not just you. You should take the time to show up. Everyone has rearranged their schedules. Your being late, or not showing up at all, impacts multiple people who would be justified in refusing to show you the home a second time. Read: 5 Things Buyers Do That Drive Agents Nuts.

After weeks of traipsing through houses, nothing can be more frustrating than putting an offer on a home, only to be denied. This frustrates you, the sellers, and all involved real estate agents at once. Before you begin your home search, save everyone some time bygetting pre-approved by a mortgage lender. This will not only give you a guideline for your home’s price range, it will also give you an edge over the competition.

This may be your future house, but until you sign the papers at closing, you remain a guest in someone else’s home. This means you should show the same respect that you’d show if you were at a respected friend’s home. If you were selling a home and a buyer came through, changing the thermostat and opening restricted areas, how would you feel? Respect the seller’s space as you’d expect them to respect yours.

Everyone likes a bargain, but excessive nickel-and-diming during the buying process can send you directly out of the running. When it comes time to make an offer, understand the negotiation process. Don’t give up something without offering something else.

If you want the washer and dryer, offer less than you’re willing to pay. When the buyer comes back with a higher amount, say you’ll take it but only if the washer and dryer stay with the house. By giving yourself a small amount of wiggle room, you’ll be more likely to get a great deal.

Purchasing a home can be a pleasant experience for everyone involved, provided buyers adhere to a few simple courtesies. If the buyer has a real estate agent, that agent will likely help him through the process, but many buyers search for homes without agents. Someday every buyer will be a seller himself, and he’ll appreciate the same considerations from prospective buyers, as well. For further reading, see: A Reminder To Home Buyers: Annoy Sellers At Your Peril.

2 Comments

  1. Ross

    I can’t stand when buyers submit insultingly low offers. If you’re a buyer…I get that you don’t want to lay out all of your cards on the table and offer your max bid right away. But if it’s a $800,000 home, please don’t offer $400,000. It’s rude.

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  2. Nancy Edwards

    Hi Ross! Completely agree 🙂 It is crazy the way that buyers submit offers that low. It’s almost comical. There are times where you need to offer lower, to bring the seller back down to earth in regards to their listing price, when a home is accurately priced, if you can’t afford the house, don’t put in an offer.

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