Tips & Trends for the Flagstaff Real Estate Market:
Past Articles [January 2003]
We write informative monthly articles about timely real estate topics. Be sure to visit our archives so you can read other past articles, which cover a range of Flagstaff real estate topics. You can also sign up for our monthly newsletter.
Reducing the Stress of Buying or Selling a Home
Buying or selling a home ranks high on the list of stress-provoking situations. The process is disrupting, uncertain, unsettling and time-consuming. Sellers whose homes sell quickly worry that they sold too low. Sellers whose home takes months to sell wonder if it will ever sell and whether it is overpriced. Buyers agonize over paying too much.
People move for a variety of reasons, mostly by choice but sometimes not. In Arizona homeowners live in their homes an average of seven years. Frequently a move is forced on a family because of a death, a divorce, a job loss or an unanticipated transfer. So the reason for the move can be stress-provoking. And since most people dislike change, the very act of moving is bound to be stressful. What can you do to ease the pain?
Pick your real estate agent carefully. A good agent will go out of his or her way to make the move easier for you. Make sure that your agent will communicate with you regularly, and will be available to consult with you on short notice. Your agent should review the buying and selling process with you so that you know what to expect.
Buyers moving to our area should find an agent who has experience working with buyers who are relocating. Be sure to ask for a relocation package. The package provided by most agents in Flagstaff is loaded with information about our community and Northern Arizona. The Internet is a great source of information. For example, Realtor.com (www.realtor.com) lists 885 properties in Flagstaff that are for sale. So it's possible to preview listings long distance. Local buyers can also cut down the time they spend looking at new listings by viewing homes on the Internet.
Showing your home to prospective buyers is an invasion of your privacy but you must remember that many times you have to accommodate their schedules. If possible it is best to leave your house when it's shown. This gives the visitors a better opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of your home as it relates to their situation.
Plan time outs for you and your family. Take day trips or go away for a weekend. If you've been looking for a home for months with no luck, take a break and enjoy yourself.
THE CLOSING: There will undoubtedly be times when you feel stressed out or depressed. Understand that these feelings are normal and they will pass.
back to list of articles
back to top
|
