Domain recently ran an article with the above heading, which is good in some respects, weak in others. As a professional property buyer, here are my comments on the “5 things”.
- “I can’t wait to get rid of that (e.g. a wall, paint colour, fireplace, etc.)
Telling the sales agent what you would do with the house as an owner is a mistake. As a buyer’s agent, I keep faults, changes, modifications, opportunities to myself and the client, to use in the appraisal and negotiation stages. Buyers should note their objections/planned changes and discuss with their buyer’s agent rather than the selling agent.
- “This is my dream home”
Real estate agents have been trained in reading body language and verbal language, to help them decipher your emotional interest in a property. I give my clients “silence training” ???? before you inspect my short-listed properties. “This is my dream home” or anything like that it is a classic communication fail. I even recall a female buyer declaring the value of the property to the agent out loud at an Open For Inspection. Unbelievable FAIL! Loose Lips Sink Ships!
- “Let me tell you about us” ( i.e. giving away too much personal information to a real estate agent)
Using a buyer’s agent removes the need to discuss any aspects of the property or yourselves with the selling agent. The stress of interacting with selling agents – all communication goes through the buyer’s agent. My clients inform the sales agent that Mike is their buyer’s agent and apart from giving their name, they you can go right through without further interaction.
- “I’m not interested”
It is tricky to not show genuine interest (if you are) without giving away the emotion or urgency you might feel towards the house. I do give general feedback to selling agents on property’s suitability but unless clearly off the list, I stay in communication with the selling agents. Otherwise I may not be contacted before it is sold. Sales Agents also treat Buyers Agents differently, they know we have genuine buyer as client.
- “This is our idea for the property” (i.e. talking with other buyers)
Chatting with other buyers is big mistake. Treat them like the agent and tell them nothing. If you are using me as your buyer’s agent, I will have referred you to the inspection, and coached you on “look, note but don’t converse”. The others inspecting could be bidding against us at auction. Exchange pleasantries, but focus on your buying mission like a business project and discuss any likes and dislikes with me away from the property. As a Buyer’s Agent, some people at OFIs ask my opinion about the house or its value. My answer: “That’s what my clients are paying me for!”