Tips for Buyers and Sellers
Recently, I placed my mother-in-law’s home on the market for sale. It’s an incredibly cute beachfront condo located within a highly coveted private gated community in Huntington Beach. Ocean views, stunning sunsets, and just steps from the beach – Location, Location, Location!
To top it off, these homes rarely go up for sale! Mom is retiring in less than a year and wondering, “should I sell my house when I retire?” Like many of us, she has been witnessing the escalating prices in the market and the accelerating value of her home. After looking at her impressive equity, nearly tripling her investment in less than a decade, she felt that she was in a great position to sell her place when she retires! Great News, right? Well, not so fast.
As anticipated, multiple offers were received within days of the listing. However, something wasn’t right for Mom, the offers were making her feel sick instead of happy. She insisted, “I’m retiring, it’s the right time to sell my house, I can make so much money,” it didn’t feel like the great news she had initially expected. Instead, the offers signaled the fast-approaching imminent sale of her home and it didn’t feel good. She began asking herself again, “why should I sell my house when I retire?”
We talked and it became obvious that making money was not actually her motivation for selling; it was not her “Why,” so I didn’t feel right either. My goal as an agent is not to maximize profits for my customers. It’s great when that happens, but it’s not my purpose. My purpose is to take care of all the real estate needs of my clients. I value positive energy and a feeling of connection with my clients. For me, it is of paramount importance to more deeply understand my client’s needs and to identify their unique “why.”
What does the “Why” mean? The “why” refers to why a client is doing what they are deciding to do. While it seems simple enough, this experience led me to refine my process of how I work with clients to identify their “why.” The word itself, why, can often make us feel defensive and can trigger pressure to provide a “good reason” for choosing whatever it is we’re choosing. Answers like, “I want to make money”, can be void of any real meaning and unfortunately lead to an unfullfilling outcome.
Back to my Mother-in-Law, we realized that she was feeling the pressure of retiring and the markets skyrocketing prices. Mom realized that she was unsure of the next chapter in her life. So she asked her self again, why should I sell my house when I retire? She loves the beach and wants to be close to her family, and she wants to ensure her financial future. However, the “Why” did not live inside any of these reasons! After a few sleepless nights, I realized that taking her home off the market was the right thing to suggest. I knew it was the right thing to do when I witnessed her relief. I called the other agents who had offers in and respectfully declined their offers at or above the asking price.
There is no tripling of the investment for mom, there is no commission for me as the agent . . . and there is no better place to be! You see, the best transaction I can make as a real estate agent is the one that satisfies the real “Why.” If a client is not feeling confident and joyful about their “why,” then the “why” is definitely in question. In the end, we established that mom’s “why” didn’t feel good to her. Essentially, when the “why” doesn’t feel right, it means we didn’t actually have a “why” to begin with. I am proud of Mom’s decision to keep her beautiful beach home, and I am pleased to say I kept my promise to always “take care of my client’s real estate needs.”
I’m grateful and thankful that Mom realized her “why” – that selling her home wasn’t the right thing to do. Together we learned how important it is to ask, how does my “why” feel? This experience allowed me to hone in on my process of identifying my clients “why”. In addition to gathering answers to questions like “what is the square footage of your home,” I also apply a systematic approach to developing and honoring my client’s “why.” If we can’t confidently and happily establish the “why,” I’m no longer in alignment with my core values. When the “Why” is clearly defined, I know how to take care of my clients, their transactions, and I can assure a positive outcome 🙂
With thanks and appreciation!
Natalie Boyle
More tips for Home Sellers:
Does the For Sale Sign in Your Neighbor’s Yard Make You Feel Like You Live in a FISHBOWL?
How to pick the best offer on your home
Preparing to Sell Your Home
Home Staging By Verso Homes
Top Investment Property Upgrades to Increase Rent and Equity
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
January 24, 2023
Welcome to Verso Homes’ guide to the best restaurants in San Juan Capistrano, the charming and historic mission town in Orange County, California. Known for its rich c… Read more
December 22, 2022
If you’re looking for a small town with a little population and awesome surfing, this is the place to be. Dana Point is home to a good number of shops. While it is pri… Read more
November 29, 2022
The last month of the year is a hectic but exciting time in Orange County. The events are jam-packed and there’s never a dull moment! No matter what you’re looking for… Read more
November 15, 2022
Cool off and relax by the beach in Dana Point. More than seven miles of oceanfront beaches await you here in Southern California. Enjoy a variety of activities like fi… Read more
November 1, 2022
Dana Point is a great place to visit in Southern California, so if you want to enjoy some amazing food and drinks, this is definitely the place for you. Let your taste… Read more
October 12, 2022
If you are thinking about moving to Orange County, California, get ready for all the advantages. South OC is home to so many amazing beaches, and parks, as well as uni… Read more
October 2, 2022
Fall is the perfect time of year to enjoy the outdoors and all its beauty. That means new activities, artwork, and great fall festivals. There’s something that’s sure … Read more
September 21, 2022
It’s time to enjoy this laid-back community in Orange County. Dana Point, also known as the “Dolphin & Whale Capital of the World”, offers fun activities and attractio… Read more
September 6, 2022
Homeownership is the American dream. I know that no matter what level of experience you’re at, you will find these tips helpful, knowledgeable, and trustworthy. Buying… Read more
You’ve got questions and we can’t wait to answer them.