Finding “The One”

By Paul Holub

I was with a client the other day touring homes in North and Northwest Houston. These particular clients are looking to move closer to their jobs and cut down on their daily commute. As we toured homes, it was apparent that none of the options that day were “The One.” Lackluster conversations of, “Well, we could make it work…” began to circulate along with the thought “settling.”

When I hear clients begin to voice thoughts like these, my responses are always, “Hang in there!”, “We just haven’t seen ‘The One’ yet.” However, I am aware it can be very discouraging for home buyers when they see these great homes online, yet when toured in person, the homes aren’t up to snuff and not what they were expecting.

Here are 5 tips to help you find “The One” when looking to buy your next home:

1. Understand the Market

Buying a home is a big decision and something that should not be rushed. The real estate market ebbs and flows, it is fluid and changes as time goes on. Having a realistic expectation on how fast the current market is moving is key. However, it often takes time for buyers to understand the speed of the market. A few years ago, inventory was low and homes were flying off the market in weeks if not within days of being listed. During this time, I would frequently warn buyers of the need to be aggressive. Even so, my warnings were regularly left un-heeded. Buyers would often miss the first home they liked. This was because of several reasons; we would take too long to see a home, wait too long to get in an offer, or come in with an offer too low and under the market value. After missing the first house, buyers usually adjusted to the market and moved more quickly and with a more realistic expectation of what an offer would take on their end. Sometimes, we as realtors, have to be blunt and tell our clients to put in a strong offer, and at times above asking. This is ultimately so buyers don’t miss “The One.” Thus, when starting your search for a new home, make sure you understand the speed of the market and furthermore what that means for you when we find you what you are looking for.

2. Clarify What’s Important

Much of what we do at The Holub Team during our initial consultation is to clarify what’s important to the buyer. Schools, greenbelts, and pools may be important to one buyer, but a non-factor for the next. After the initial buyer consultation and once home touring begins, a buyer’s “must haves” get clarified even further. It is typical for buyers to get out there, and once seeing what is available, continue to adjust what is important to them in a home. This typically includes deeper discussions on what fits a buyer’s budget and clarifying what are non-negotiables with one’s spouse.

I once had a client tell me, they didn’t want to buy a one story home with a pool, nor did they want the bedrooms close to the master. Can you guess what they ended up with? That’s right, a one story home with all the bedrooms along the same hallway and a pool in the backyard. We still laugh about it to this day. But, to them, that house felt like “The One,” and has turned into a great home for them.

3. Narrow Down

Sometimes, buyers will have us running all over Houston, looking at homes without any clarity on areas and neighborhoods they like. This uncertainty and wide scope ultimately just stresses them out. Here at The Holub Team, we like to help narrow down a buyer’s focus to a few top areas. We also like to encourage buyers to become well versed in the market. This way, when “The One” pops up for sale, a buyer recognizes if the home is a good deal or not, creating confidence in whatever offer they choose to make. These things combined lend for a greater feeling of control. This peace of mind allows a buyer to dive deeper into neighborhood amenities, understand traffic patterns of the area and to feel more comfortable with the neighborhood and area overall when the time comes to put in an offer.

4. Don’t Get Discouraged

Buying a home can be stressful! Many buyers are trying to sell their house while looking for a new one. Once their current home goes under contract, all the moving parts can really take a toll on a family. I had a sweet family one time, which wanted to live closer grandparents that had found a home in Southwest Houston. Yet, they couldn’t find the right house for the right price. They knew the area well and their budget was appropriate for a variety of homes. However, nothing was coming up. We went on a string of showings that took them further and further away from the grandparent’s new home. At the end of a series of home tours, I could tell they were getting disappointed. I encouraged them to hang in there, and within a week, the house they bought popped up on the market for a great price. Their new home is only a few streets over from the grandparents. Their wait was worth it, and their new home perfect for their family.

5. Don’t Settle

Not settling is a good life choice in general. When it comes to home buying, however, buyers almost never get everything on their “must have” list. As the pressure to buy a home mounts, the “I guess we could work with this…,” and “We could make do…” comments begin. At this point, I typically urge buyers to stick to their guns. I almost always talk them out of settling, especially on the big things. This is because I feel if you are moving to a larger home then, I think you should be at least a little excited about it. Buying a home should be an exciting and pleasant experience.

Don’t get me wrong, in some hot markets, finding even a house that “will work” is a great thing. However, in our area and in our current market we have increased inventory. Thus, it is worth holding out until you find that house that excites you and just feels like “The One.”

It is our goal at The Holub Team to always lead you on the right path to finding the best home for you and your family. A home that is truly “The One.”