The ‘Should I, Shouldn’t I’ real estate decision roundabout traps buyers. In real estate, just as in life, there is such a thing as overthinking your decisions. Your property purchase should never feel pressured, but on balance, don’t let over comparison freeze you.
‘Too bad the bathtub is the wrong colour.’
‘The strata fees are $25.00 more a month than the last condo we visited.’
‘The sellers are not including the couch. Where will I sit?’
… Trust me when I say, ‘I’ve heard it all!’.
Don’t get me wrong. It is important to do your homework. As a buyer, you need to make an informed and educated decision. And it’s my job to give you the tools to do so. But overdoing it, allowing the details to overwhelm you, can lead to paralysis. And in this fast-paced market, I hate to say it, but that house you had your eye on, well, it will be gone.
Here are 7 tips to avoid real estate decision paralysis because over analysing a property purchase can be just as crippling as rushing into one.
1. One big goal
Real estate decisions should be made with a goal in mind. Ask yourself what you want from your property purchase? What are you hoping to achieve? If it’s an investment property for long term rentals, then do you really need to get hung up on the make of the kitchen counter or the colour of the tile in the second bathroom?
2. Think big picture
Often, when people buy property, they pigeonhole themselves with one-dimensional thinking. For example, I routinely get asked, ‘how big of a house can my money buy?’ And without fail, I will ask back, ‘how much house do you really need?’ My response never changes. And that’s because it’s my job to find you a home that will fit your life. I would be doing myself and you a disservice by selling you the wrong house, which brings me to my next point.
3. Long-term property plan
Fast forward and think about how the home fits into your long term property journey. Do you plan on selling this home? What is your exit strategy? This is something that buyers rarely consider. And yet, I think we can all agree that time moves fast. In what feels like the blink of an eye, it could be time to downsize. So it’s important to plan for the future, today.
4. Accept that the market moves
Don’t try and time the market. Real estate is a stable asset class. If you are buying for a 7 to 10-year hold, fluctuations in the market are bound to happen. Sorry, I stand corrected; they will happen!
5. Nobody knows the top
The market keeps on rising. It is moving in unison with Cayman’s growth, inflation, and worldwide trends. Not purchasing real estate today does not mean it will be any more feasible for you to get onto the property ladder in 5 years. My advice is simple; buy based on the overall market strength. Buy in the best location you can afford.
6. Expert advice
Part of the reason I love what I do is that everyone likes to talk about real estate. But taking advice from family and friends, the internet or your lovely hairdresser often adds to the confusion. Choose your sources wisely. And know that myself, and all the agents at Property Cayman, are here to chat with you at any stage of your property journey. Our advice is free of charge and more importantly, pressure. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, today or ten years from now. It doesn’t make a difference to us. We are happy to chat with you or your hairdresser!
7. Don’t over think it
You’ve done your research. You have us in your corner. You’ve thought about your short term needs and long term plans, nailing down the goal of your property purchase. And then the right property comes up. It’s time to act. Don’t get crippled by the small details. Fifty dollars more in strata fees or an odd coloured bathtub will not matter in the long run. Proceed swiftly with confidence to secure your new home.
This last tip, it’s off the books, but arguably the best thing about real estate.
Property purchases are exciting! I would go so far as to say thrilling. (But that might just be me.) But seriously, don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Don’t get so bogged down by the details, so overwhelmed, that you can’t act. At some point, you need to make the leap.
There is no need to feel stuck when you should be moving forward (and in!). So if you find yourself humming and hawing, struggling to take the leap, reach out. I’d be happy to chat.
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