In real estate, you often see articles or even listings talking about ‘the fairytale’ – pitched as the perfect place, in the perfect location, for the perfect family.
But fairytale is a bit of an odd word, isn’t it?
For some reason, it implies something magical and positive and full of fairy dust, where in reality, if you have a quick read of Snow White or take in even the first half of Cinderella or The Little Mermaid, it becomes quite clear fairytales are usually far from enjoyable for the main characters.
What fairytales do have in common with real estate, and finding that perfect place, however, is they are a journey, an adventure that you take in pursuit of ‘the dream’.
But unlike the dramas we often see in Disney, with the right team on your side (talking mice, fairy godmothers, or in this case, agents and solicitors), you can avoid the pitfalls of a long story and seamlessly become the king or queen of your own new castle!
Navigating the modern real estate landscape
The path to home ownership, especially for a first-time buyer, can feel exactly like those tumultuous fairytales that require you to jump through impossible hoops in order to ‘win’ your happy ending.
Recent REA and Helia reports suggest buyers have never felt less positive about finding a property in the current market, and we know from years of industry articles, that many buyers find the process of purchasing quite stressful and complex.
The buying process can feel overwhelming or confusing, the legalities challenging, and communicating what you want, downright difficult.
At Presence, while our first job is to represent our client, the property seller, we realise if both the buyer and seller don’t have a good time, the moment is off for everyone. And to us, your moment, their moment, our shared moment, is everything.
During any sales process, in the forefront of our thinking is the fact we are dealing with real people, and though we know this process like the back of our hands, not everyone we come across is quite as experienced.
With that in mind, we make it our mission to create a buying and selling adventure that is as smooth, clear, transparent and easy as it possibly can be, for EVERYONE involved.
Tips for a successful homebuying adventure
Understand the current market
Staying informed about local real estate trends is crucial. For instance, right now, as we head into Autumn, we are seeing a flurry of activity and a start to the year that has displayed very high demand right across the region.
We’ve had a lot of properties go to Friendly Auction, as sellers and buyers alike not only look for the best price but seek a sales method that makes them both feel more comfortable, confident and supported.
While our client is the seller, any agent on our team is more than happy to take the time to chat with you about the state of the market – what’s happening now, what they expect to see in the near future, and what opportunities are worth having more of a look at.
Creating a good, educational relationship with local agents can make your adventure much easier!
Set realistic expectations
It’s essential to align your desires with your budget – not everyone can afford a castle, and that’s ok, not everyone wants or needs one!
Engaging with financial advisors or mortgage brokers can provide clarity on what you can afford, ensuring your dreams are attainable without profoundly affecting your quality of life.
Engage with trusted real estate professionals
Build relationships with reputable selling agents so you get the first insights into available properties and upcoming listings. Many properties never even make it to public market listings, as they’re sold through agent networks first. By registering for pre-market listings, you’ll get access to these opportunities before they go live, and by connecting with agents, you’ll get a call when they have something of interest for you!
Register for our pre-market list >>
Be prepared to act quickly
In a competitive market, having your finances in order and being ready to make swift decisions can be advantageous – in fact, it can make all the difference! Avoid climbing mountains you don’t need to or selling your soul to a sea witch by getting in early and having all your financial ducks in a row.
Know this can be a page turner or a slow burn
Every property purchasing adventure is different. Sometimes, the first place you see is ‘the one’ and with finance in order, solicitor at the ready, and an owner keen to sell, your journey can be over very quickly.
In contrast, it can take longer to find what you want, and if you’re not entirely clear on that, it’s important to take some time to look at a variety of what you think you want, so you can narrow down your criteria and communicate more clearly with agents and each other.
The bottom line is, you can definitely get that happy ending painlessly, comfortably, happily, with the right help, but leave the fairytale – the bumps and bruises, the shipwrecks, mountains and missing shoes, to someone else… it doesn’t have to be that hard!
