6 Things You Shouldn't Say When Buying a House
Think and speak strategically
The process of buying a house is as complicated as it is exciting. On the one hand, you are finally buying a home for yourself and your family, which marks a significant moment in anyone’s life. However, that comes with much stress and anxiety because you want everything to go well. You have to carefully plan out this process because the world of real estate is sometimes challenging to handle, even for professional realtors and lawyers. The part of the process you should be smart about is the open house and negotiations. There you need to leave a good impression but also to be strategic. You don’t want to put yourself in the wrong position for negotiations, so thinking before you speak is paramount. We listed some things you shouldn’t say when buying a house.
Why is it important to know this?
As we said, this process is delicate, and being informed and prepared is necessary. From educating yourself about these things to knowing which moving company you will hire once the time comes, you can never be too prepared. Even experts at 24/7 Logistics Services say that contacting a moving company before you fully seal the deal for a house is normal today because it helps people budget properly. You don't buy a house daily, so knowing as much as possible about this process is essential.
Don’t be arrogant
One of the things you should never say when buying a house is, “You are lucky anyone's buying this house.” Convincing sellers that they are fortunate anyone is even considering buying their house is arrogant and condescending. It insults the seller and his home, which he won't appreciate. Some people say this during the negotiation process, thinking it will help lower the price, but it has the opposite effect. This arrogant move can destroy any chances of making a deal and buying your desired house. Even if you genuinely think it is better to keep it to yourself. You never know how the other side will react. Some sellers might not give it much thought, but others can get offended.
Even if you don’t like the decor in the house, you should keep that to yourself.
“The decor is so ugly”
When going to an open house, it is essential to be very respectful. Leaving a good first impression goes a long way in making a successful deal with the seller. You might not like how they styled their home, but you should keep it to yourself. If the sale goes through, you can always change the decor into something you prefer. But while talking to the owner before buying it, be complimentary, respectful, or even simply neutral. Insulting someone's taste and style is never a good way to start a business relationship. A huge part of successfully buying a house is having good communication skills and holding back from blurting out the first thing that comes to mind, even if you genuinely mean it.
One of the things you shouldn't say when buying a house- “You are not my first option”
When buying a house, it's natural to consider a few different options. However, you must be careful how to word that to the seller whose house you are considering. Don't tell them they are your backup plan if something else does not work out. It is insulting and makes them think you aren't serious and are simply wasting their time. Nobody wants to negotiate with someone who will drag out the process. They want to sell as soon as possible. It's generally a good rule to plan ahead when buying a house. For example, when moving from Miami to Los Angeles, hiring movers should be something you already plan for. It's good to already have a moving company in mind that will arrange a safe transfer as soon as possible. When a seller knows you already have a moving company set up, it shows him you are serious.
Don’t discuss your financial situation with anyone except your realtor.
Don't talk about your financial situation
One of the worst things you can say to a seller on an open-house day is, “My financial situation is....” You should never reveal this information to the seller as it can complicate the negotiation process. Whether the situation is good or bad, it should be kept between you and your realtor or lawyer. If you reveal it, this can push the seller to ask for a much higher price than he maybe intended.
“But what's this house really like?”
Never ask the seller what the house “truly” is like. If you are having a normal conversation with a seller on an open house day, don't finish by asking, “Ok, but what's it really like.” First, it's in every seller's interest not to tell everything that might be wrong with the house. And second, it will simply sound too interrogative and intrusive. The seller doesn't have the right to keep any huge problems with the property away from you anyways, so asking that question would also be completely unnecessary, and you would not find out anything of importance even if the seller answered you.
Don't show too much enthusiasm
Sometimes you go to an open house and are blown away by how much you like the place. But in this situation, it is not wise to fully reveal that to the seller. If you tell them, “This is the perfect house for me and my only choice,” they will know they can manipulate the price however high they like. Be complimentary, say you are interested but don't show how much you genuinely want to buy the house.
When you are knowledgeable about the things you shouldn’t say when buying a house, you are more likely to seal the deal.
In conclusion
These are just some things you shouldn’t say when buying a house, as they can compromise the process. If you want to be successful when house hunting, you need to show respect to the seller and their property. You shouldn't insult their home decor or be condescending towards them. Also, never reveal your financial situation to anyone but your realtor or lawyer. Finally, don't reveal that a particular house is not your first option or that it is the only option and your dream home. It's all about being respectful and polite yet not revealing too much. Follow these tips, and your chance of successfully buying the home you want will be higher.
