By Anessa V. Cohen

After a crazy summer of limited inventory and buyers fighting to get the house that they want, I found myself thinking of this list that I made up several years ago and how appropriate it is for the home-buying climate in which we presently find ourselves.

While showing houses this past summer, I experienced a lot of déjà vu listening to the desires and “must haves” of the new homebuyers that came out searching this year. I decided I must share this list of “New Buyers Say the Darndest Things.” We have the nicest buyers here and I wouldn’t trade them for anything, but some of their comments are too good to keep to myself!

-     Oh, this house is perfect! It is just what we have been looking for! What else do you have to show us?

-     If you could only pick up this house and take it to the location I wanted, it would be just what I need and the price would be perfect!

-     Oh, the wall color in this room is not to my taste; I would have to paint it and I did not want to have to do any construction.

-     I have two queen-size beds and a large bedroom set to match, so my master bedroom must be at least 30 by 18 feet in order for it all to fit right. And do not forget that we must keep the price of the house below $450,000.

-     I realize this is an updated kitchen, but why didn’t the sellers open the wall to the dining room and then make an island?

-     We want a house only in School District 14, but we do not want to pay those high taxes. Please find us a house just like this one, but with lower taxes, in the same school district.

-     We want a house only in School District 15, but we need one priced as they are in School District 14–unless you can find us a house in District 14 with taxes as low as in District 15.

-     We need a house with extra space, like a basement, but not an actual basement because we are afraid of flooding. [Note: I have yet to figure this one out, so if you do, please clue me in.]

-     I know we said we were looking for a “handyman special” and that we were willing to do work, but what I meant was that the work we would be willing to do was carpet and paint.

-     The house is great, but I do not have any friends on this block. If only you could show me the same house as this, one block over.

-     This house seems nice, but I need you to give me the names of everyone living on this block before I commit, to see if this will work for me.

-     I realize that this den is about 25 by 30 feet, but it is way too small for my son. He needs more breathing room to play!

-     I know they are asking $650K, but if they will agree to take $400K we will consider it and buy right away!

-     We need a house within walking distance of the train, but it should be far enough away so we do not hear the train whistle.

-     What time of the day does the mail get delivered to this street?

-     Can I renovate this house and add two bathrooms without filing for a permit?

Art Linkletter produced a show years ago called “Kids Say the Darndest Things.” An updated version could now be called “Buyers Say the Darndest Things!” v

Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a licensed real-estate broker and a licensed N.Y.S. mortgage broker with over 20 years of experience, offering full-service residential and commercial real-estate services (Anessa V Cohen Realty) and mortgaging services (First Meridian Mortgage) in the Five Towns and throughout the tri-state area. She can be reached at 516-569-5007 or via her website, www.AVCrealty.com. Readers are encouraged to send questions or comments to anessa@AVCrealty.com.

 

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