Hawaii

20 Ways to Lose Your Buyer

When it comes to real estate, it’s easy to see how the term “high touch” can have a double meaning. Attorneys, accountants, escrow people, title folks, architects, pest control people, home inspectors, insurance agents, surveyors, contractors, electricians, plumbers, home warranty insurers, engineers, property managers, 1031 exchange accommodators, estate planners, wastewater engineers, even environmental engineers and land use planners get involved.

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Buying or selling is rather like taking an airplane flight. Even the best pilots can’t guarantee a smooth ride. Market shifts and swings cause constant route changes. One lender cautioned me that the day will come when termite inspections and (probably) surveys will likely soon be required with every loan. For the past few years, these have been negotiable. Prior to that, termite inspections were absolutely required.

With so many moving parts, here are just 20 of the proverbial 50 ways to lose that buyer, starting with the buyer himself:

  1. Some buyers say they have cash but don’t.
  2. Some have it and spend it.
  3. Some say they are selling property to get their down payment but don’t consider that their pending divorce will delay everything indefinitely.
  4. Buyers change jobs or buy new cars right before closing.
  5. Some forget about child support liens or judgments that must be cleared.
  1. Sellers can be just as bad.  They “forget” to tell their agents about title or ownership problems.
  2. Of course, permit problems are never good news.
  3. Home inspectors sometimes report problems inaccurately causing the buyer to re-think the entire purchase.  No house is perfect, not even a new one.
  4. Appraisals have become a huge problem.
  5. Fall-out from the over-heated market of 2004-2006 caused rule changes related to how appraisals are ordered.
  6. Appraisers have become overly conservative.
  7. Short value usually means no transaction.
  8. Sellers (and their agents) who fail to adjust pricing to the current market probably start a chain of events that dooms a sale before it begins.
  9. As unbelievable as it seems, REALTORS® still forget to pre-qualify their buyers (both financially and mentally).
  10. Some agents allow timelines to slip past putting the entire transaction in jeopardy.
  11. Surveys reveal set-back and encroachment issues.
  12. Termite companies discover un-disclosed termite damage.
  13. Attorneys make errors on conveyance documents.
  14. Insurance rates can be so high that the buyer can’t qualify even if they are approved for their loan.
  15. Even the cable guy who isn’t able to provide broadband service can spoil a sale.

 

Bottom Line

Agents must be problem solvers. Buyers and Sellers must have absolute confidence in their agent’s ability! Trust me, with so many things that could go wrong, fifty opportunities to keep a transaction on the right path may not be such a bad thing after all!

About the Author

Denise Nakanishi

Denise Nakanishi is a REALTOR Broker with Hawai'i Life. Denise Nakanishi is one of Hilo's most acclaimed real estate agents. She reached the rank of Major in the US Army and is now known by many as "Major Mom." The nickname fits–not only does Denise bring the discipline and mission-oriented attitude you'd expect, she's also caring and compassionate, always looking out for her clients like they're her own family. Having made the Big Island her home since 1987, Denise combines her extensive knowledge of the area with a sharp focus on customer service and the results speak for themselves. She's the recent recipient of the Best East Hawai`i, Best of Zillow, Chairman's Circle Award, President's Circle, Top Producing Agent since 2001, and Realtor of the Year awards. Denise stays ahead of the curve because she's passionate about education–she served as Education Chair for Hawaii Island REALTORS® for many years. She's one of Big Island's best real estate resources, known for her weekly article in the Hawaii Tribune Herald. Denise leads Team Nakanishi for Hawai`i Life, who is committed to their family, work, and community. In her little time away from work, Denise is a committed runner and Grandy. She also devotes many hours to various Veterans' Organizations, the East Hawaii Cultural Center, and the Hawaii Island REALTORS®. You can email me at denise@hawaiilife.com or via phone at (808) 936-5100.

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David

August 25, 2016

This is a good list. #20 is me, I literally couldn’t care less if I can even get TV, but the one thing I must have is good broadband, my work depends on it.

David

August 25, 2016

This is a good list. #20 is me, I literally couldn’t care less if I can even get TV, but the one thing I must have is good broadband, my work depends on it.

Julie keller

August 26, 2016

Another great blog Denise! Thank you

Julie keller

August 26, 2016

Another great blog Denise! Thank you

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