Buying a home is one of the most exciting – and stressful – experiences a person can go through. With emotions running high, the last thing you want is to say the wrong thing to a home buyer and unintentionally crush their excitement. Whether you’re a friend, family member, or real estate agent, it’s important to tread carefully. To keep things light and drama-free, here are 7 things you should NEVER say to a home buyer.
1. “You’ll never find a house in this market.”
Telling someone that they’ll never find a house in this market is like telling them to just give up. Is the market competitive? Yes. Are people still finding homes? Also yes! Instead of dropping doom and gloom, why not offer encouragement? Home buyers need positive vibes, not a grim forecast that makes them question why they ever started this journey.
2. “That’s a bit out of your budget, don’t you think?”
Commenting on someone's budget is like telling them how to spend their money. It's personal. Sure, some houses might seem like a stretch, but it’s ultimately up to the buyer to decide what they can afford. Maybe they’ve saved, maybe they have a secret side hustle, maybe they’re banking on that lottery ticket! Either way, keep the budget opinions to yourself.
3. “This place has so much potential!”
Ah, the classic “potential” line. What buyers hear: “You’ll need to spend thousands of dollars to make this place livable.”
Unless the buyer is actively searching for a fixer-upper, the word potential can send shivers down their spine. It often translates to: “I’m going to be tearing down walls and installing new plumbing for the next 10 years.” Let’s save the renovation talk unless they’re into that sort of thing.
4. “You know, the last owners had a lot of issues with termites…”
Whoa, pump the brakes on the horror stories!
Nothing sends a buyer running faster than hearing about termites, foundation problems, or any other creepy crawly details that will haunt their dreams. It’s one thing if these issues are disclosed up front, but there’s no need to spill unnecessary details unless it’s part of the inspection report. Buyers are already nervous – they don’t need more reasons to second guess everything.
5. “I wouldn’t live in this neighborhood if I were you.”
That’s your opinion, and it’s probably best to keep it that way.
What you might not love in a neighborhood could be exactly what they’re looking for. Maybe they don’t mind the quirky neighbors, the busy street, or the local goat farm next door. Let them form their own opinions without the unsolicited judgment. It’s their dream home, not yours!
6. “You should wait for the market to cool off.”
Waiting could take months – even years – and in the meantime, they’re stuck scrolling through Zillow at midnight, wondering what might have been. Telling buyers to wait for the “perfect time” is like telling them to wait for the planets to align. Timing the market is a game no one wins. They’re ready now, so unless you have a crystal ball, maybe steer clear of giving this advice.
7. “You’ll regret this decision.”
This is probably the harshest thing you could say to a home buyer, and it plants seeds of doubt where there doesn’t need to be any. Buying a home is already a huge, nerve-wracking decision. The last thing they need is someone whispering in their ear that they’ll regret it. Even if you're trying to be helpful, a line like this can feel more like a gut punch.
Final Thoughts Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions in life, and it comes with enough stress already. A little empathy and encouragement can go a long way. So next time you find yourself about to share your thoughts with a home buyer, take a moment and think: is this helpful or hurtful? If it's the latter, it's best to zip it and save them (and yourself) from a lot of unnecessary stress!
Call us if you'd like more information about the Greater Greenville, South Carolina, region market. Feel free to get in touch with our team at 864-438-5050 or visit our website at www.GreenvilleRealEstateHub.com.
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