Each year, at least 5 million homes in the U.S. are sold. The real estate market is experiencing a boom and potential homeowners are constantly looking for the best house to purchase.
The industry is competitive as it is lucrative, however. If you want your clients to refer you to their friends, family, or social media networks, you must provide the best possible service.
Customer service is crucial. Every prospective homeowner is different. Not everyone knows what they want. To sell a home in the ideal location, you must get to know your clients.
Keep this in mind as you read on for some tips to help your clients choose the right place to purchase a house.
Ask about their lifestyle
When helping clients find the right location for their home, it is important to understand what their lifestyle is. Are they happy living in the city? Would they rather live in suburban areas or the countryside? Perhaps they want to live near the beach? You could suggest your clients, for example, live in Orange Beach.
Young clients, single or married, may prefer to live near their work. They may be open to buying a home in the city. Older people may prefer quieter areas in the countryside or suburbs.
Ask about the lifestyle and preferences of your customer. Which is their ideal location? Are there any lifestyle issues that could affect their choice?
This information will help you narrow your choices to choose residential areas within the city or state.
Know your client’s budget
There are many factors that affect the average home price. The national average listing price is $279,500. A home in Ohio will cost you an average of $279,000. California, however, will cost you more than $544,000.
Find out the average listing price for your state, town, or city. Ask your client what the maximum amount they are willing to spend on their new house.
This information will allow you to recommend the best locations in which they can find a house that fits their budget. You can take the initiative to learn more about the properties and their features as well as the listing prices.
Discuss Property Features
Which type of property would your client like? Are they looking for Victorian, ranch-style, contemporary, or mid-century? What number of rooms do they require?
You can narrow down the features of a house to help you find the right style home for you. Contemporary buildings are more common in cities, while ranch-style homes are preferred by older generations in rural areas.
Detail such as these should be broken down:
- The preferred square footage for the home
- Types and number of rooms
- The need for a large driveway and backyard.
- Future property additions or modifications
Take into account social amenities
When choosing the right place to call home, social amenities are an important consideration. A family with children would want to be near schools and playgrounds.
These are the essential amenities you should have:
- Services in the health sector
- Many recreational options
- Transport
- Entertainment venues
- Shopping destinations
Ask your client what amenities they need, and then find a location close to them. This will increase their convenience and quality of life.
Ask about Financing
Every person dreams of buying a home with cash. To finance a house, however, most people need a mortgage loan. The outstanding U.S. mortgage debt was approximately $15 trillion at the close of 2018.
The majority of new home buyers don’t know much about mortgages or the complicated process of getting approved. They will need to be able to navigate the mortgage process if they want to obtain a loan.
Walk your client through the financing process if they are applying for a loan. Recommend the most reputable financing institutions. You might even be able to connect them with a trusted mortgage expert.
Inform your client that the location of a mortgage rate can have an impact on their rates. The choice of a city or town can have an impact on the mortgage interest rate.
Discuss Insurance and Risks
Certain areas are more vulnerable to natural disasters like fire and flood. These are costly to insure. It is important to discuss these risks with your client and to determine if they are prepared to purchase adequate insurance.
Recommend locations that are low-risk for natural disasters if your client is concerned about spending too much on insurance. Find out the average cost of home insurance for these areas if you can. This will allow your customer to make informed decisions when purchasing a home.
What should you do after finding the best place to buy a home?
These factors have helped you narrow down your client’s search to a particular location. What are you going to do next?
1. Locate Listings in the Area
Find listings that meet your client’s requirements. Get recommendations from real estate agents, developers, and contacts.
You can also find property information online. Try to find the best properties possible for your customers.
2. Invest in Virtual Technology
It is gone a time when clients had to visit many houses in order to find the right one. It is time-consuming and exhausting. Virtual reality technology can help you to ease the pain.
This technology allows you to give virtual reality tours to clients. The client can view the whole house from a computer. This saves them time and allows them to avoid making multiple trips. After they have chosen a house they like, they can arrange it for physical viewing.
3. Guide clients through the Buying Process
When it comes to property purchasing, you are the best friend of your client. You can fulfill this role by making the process easier for your client.
Assist them with mortgage applications, home inspections, and any other tasks that they might need professional advice. You can also recommend contractors for home remodeling and improvement.
After the deal is closed, quality customer service can make a big difference in your reputation.
Conclusion
Selling homes requires that you get to know your clients. These are the essential elements that will help you find the right place for your clients to buy a home. Excellent service will earn you points and help to build your reputation in the industry.