A connection of mine, Meggan Wessels, recently wrote a post comparing dating over the age of 50 to traveling alone. She made some great points about how travel is a “curious” and anticipated event while not everyone sees the dating experience in the same way. I know from personal experience that it does help to have a plan when it comes to dating. Over the past 23 years, two of the three women I dated have married me (years apart and separately!). That would not have happened if not for the hundreds of dates that did not go anywhere but helped me to determine my course.
I bring this up because it made me realize how much real estate could be treated like dating. Potential buyers are looking for certain things from potential sellers just like how single people look for certain things in a potential partner. There could be the initial “getting to know” conversations which hopefully include the answers that both people are looking for. There are likely to be thousands of property owners who would consider selling if the offer(s) solved the problem(s) they have.
As a real estate broker or investor, you are looking for property owners who might be willing to sell their property under one of many possible circumstances. Some potential sellers are motivated to listen to different scenarios which solve their problem. Like a significant other, they can be hard to find unless you know what to look for and where to find them.
Sometimes it takes dating numerous people until you find what you really want, but you gain experiences and insight along the way. It is OK to not have an ideal match and move along. Suppose you approach real estate the same way. Although there is not a singles event for property owners to gather at, there are ways to pursue the ideal seller for you. Knowing exactly what you are looking for and how and where to pursue it is a big part of the battle.
Doing so is a reminder that you could look at it as if you are looking for people instead of properties. The property owner you want a long-term relationship with has to have a situation that you can work together on. Some owners may be desperate to sell quickly while others may need for certain things to happen to put them in a position to sell (or buy) in a few weeks or months. Remember that some people get married after knowing each other for a few weeks, while others do so after being together for several years.
My team and I can help you find compatible partners to set you up for future real estate transactions. It’s about being “first in” for the right opportunity!