Buyers are like dating

DO NOT READ THIS BLOG IF YOU DON”T UNDERSTAND SILLY.

I was having a fun conversation today with a couple of Realtor friends of mine, and I came up with a theory about why I like to work with buyers so much.

Working with a buyer is like dating. And since I have been happily married for over 17 years at this point, I don’t actually get to (have to?) date. And to be honest, I like getting to know people in the way that you do when you spend that kind of time together.

When you get into a realtionship with a buyer, there are distinct stages usually. There is the finding each other stage. Now I know there are a lot of people out there who don’t use me as their Realtor. I can’t quite figure out why not, but houses do get sold without me, so I know it happens. So therefore, we didn’t meet and find out if we were “attracted” to each other.

Next there is the having coffee, getting to know each other stage. I like to do this one at my office, show them pictures of my dog, crack a few jokes, and ask questions about who they are, and what they are looking for in life (which is more helpful than knowing what they are looking for in a house. Most people don’t really know what they are looking for in a house, they just know it when they see it).

Then we decide we’ll go out. Generally involves spending a lot of time driving around together. We look at houses, and wonder what it would be like if we lived here. This is how “I” would remodel this place. If things are going really well, then there is always a chance that we might go out for a drink. Or there may not be those kind of sparks, so it is just a quick kiss on the cheek (not literally), and maybe we will try this again some other time.

Then the buyer finds a house, and that’s when the relationship might get a little rocky. Thing aren’t so perfect anymore because there is “someone else” involved (usually the seller and their realtor). But you have put time into this relationship, and you are going to see it through and be there for them. And you do, you work things out.

And then “BOOM”. they buy the house, fall in love with it and they move in and on with their lives, and suddenly they don’t need you as much anymore. You hope that they liked you well enough that they may introduce you to some of their friends who might want to date you, but the dating ends. You still see each other on occassions, but its just not the same anymore.

And the Realtor moves on…to date again.

The other conversation I had today was with my lovely wife, and we were joking about dating other people. (Seriously, we were joking). And after I had this thought about how buyers are like dating, I can now let my wife know that if she wants me to be faithful to her, she just needs to find me more buyers.

I can just see my ad now….(insert sexy voice over here) looking for a good time? Call Adam…he’ll show you all the real estate in Ashland like you’ve never seen it before.