You have been looking for the right home for some time with your real estate agent. You have looked at too many homes to count and then you find the perfect home. You walk through the house telling your agent how perfect the home would be for you and how you have to purchase this home. You even tell your agent while going through the home that you want this house even if you have to go over asking price because it is so perfect. Are you now at a disadvantage in negotiating with the Seller? Maybe.
This is a scenario that can play out every day in real estate. The Buyer falls in love with a home and shares how much they love and want to purchase the home. What some buyers and agents don’t realize though is more and more homes have security systems in them. You might not notice the sign as you walk up to the door but most people who have security systems put a sign advising that there is one on the premises. When we think of security systems we tend to understand that they are there to warn/protect us regarding unauthorized entry into the home. Security Systems are much more advanced now a days then what they used to be. Sensors used to be put on doors and window or motion sensors were used. Now a days a lot of security systems utilize cameras and MICROPHONES. Yes, microphones. I know of a situation where sellers would view their security camera video and audio when buyers looked at their home. They heard everything the buyers said in the video. They knew what they liked, disliked and made comments about. If there was discussion about the price a buyer wanted to offer, they knew that too before the offer was sent over.
As a buyer, you never want to put yourself in a disadvantaged position to negotiate when you find the home of your dreams. Make sure that you and your agent have a discussion about appropriate conversations in homes when you are viewing them. Understanding that your viewing could be video and audio recorded. A few recommendations about viewing homes are:
- Never state you want to buy the home while in the house
- It is ok to make positive and negative opinions about the home but balance it. If you make a positive comment then find something you may not like.
- Never talk about making an offer or discuss terms about an offer in the house with your agent
- Wait until you are outside and away from the home to inform your agent if you want to purchase the home and discuss terms
- When viewing a home, act like the owners can see and hear you
Security Systems are very helpful devices that many buyers want for peace of mind. Just understand that those security systems could be used to your detriment when looking at homes.
If you are looking for a home to buyer or sell, make sure you call the professionals at American Realty Brokers. 602-955-6606
