Weddings… They are so beautiful and exciting, right?
You watch one person look into another person’s eyes, and say that they will love them until they die, that they will always be there for them, in sickness and in health…
I really think that promise needs an addendum. They need to add something about buying property together, because let me tell you, you can really see what kind of marriage people have when they buy a home together.
Many times the wife does all the work, which is fine. But she doesn’t consult with her husband. I had one couple, where she was running the mission, and we saw 30 homes. He never wanted to pull the trigger.
But as soon as I made them work together, and had her talking to her husband (yes, apparently, I had to remind her of that), they found a house in 4 properties.
When couples are not working together, it is a much more difficult process. They see a lot of properties that one likes, while the other does not. They take longer and have more difficult decisions to make, since they can’t work together to see eye to eye.
The couples that seem to do the best in property purchases are partners, the whole way through.
I had a couple who did their homework, and each house, they would discuss with me, as well as discussing with each other, what they liked and didn’t like. They not only found a house in under 10 houses, but their house has probably gone up over $150k in equity since then. Why? Because they did their homework and research, listened to my advice, and were educated buyers. And most importantly, they worked together and listened to each other.
Another couple, were newlyweds looking for their first home. We discussed their needs, and they did their drivebys together. Couples that do their drivebys together and research the properties together, usually can find a great deal in a short amount of time.
At the inspection she looked at me, and commented, “Wow, you were right. We worked together and found a house in two weeks.”
So the lesson for the day. If you are trying to buy a property with your significant other, you need to work together first, before you start the home buying process. Sit down, make a list of your wants, needs and deal breakers. Come up with a plan that will work for both of you, to be able to work together as best as possible. Hopefully that will make the process a little less painless, and maybe, a little more fun and enjoyable.