I've given birth so I know. I compare getting to closing and actually closing escrow to giving birth. Sometimes it goes smoothly with no complications but sometimes it is hard labor. From the time the buyers sign the contract to actually walking away as new home owners with key in hand, the typical 30 day escrow can be hard. There are many people involved in you buying or selling a house which makes it very important in choosing a REALTOR to go through it with you.
You certainly don't need a hot-head, someone who gets mad and the drop of a hat, you need someone who is seasoned and has experienced enough good and bad transactions to help get you through. It's not rocket science. It is doable.
The funniest picture I have ever seen that will sum up what this is all about is on the north wall at Couch Abstract in Anthony, Kansas. I have looked high and low for this print as I want one in my office. It shows a canoe with several people in it, these are all the people involved in getting us from point A to point B. Most of them have a paddle and it is either in the water or out and it looks like a dangerous canoe to be in. Everyone is flailing, it looks like utter confusion and pandamonium. Title agents, real estate agents, lenders, appraisers, inspectors, buyers, sellers, the canoe is full!
The good thing about this is it doesn't last 9 months, typically 30-45 days depending on how big the oars are, how rough the waters are, how "in the canoe" or onboard the lenders are,and how much tenacity the agents have.
Things go wrong. Things get screwy. People drop the ball. People claim they never even SAW the ball. Phone calls and emails don't get returned, property doesn't appraise, lender doesn't move quickly, buyer charges something BIG on their credit card right before closing which makes their borderline credit-cross the border. I could write a book.
This is why I compare it to giving birth. But once you see that happy new owner of that beautiful baby and the sellers shoulders come up a little further because their load has been lifted, you forget all the pain. And you almost forget that canoe ride, because the first thing you want to do after that closing is start another boat load. What's wrong with me? lol
Mary Welch-Broker/owner Preferred Choice Realty of Harper, Kansas
Member Harper City Council
Member Harper Economic Development Board
Member Wichita Association of REALTORS, Kansas Association of REALTORS, National Association of REALTORS
A Kansas REALTOR!