A First-Time Homebuyer's Story and Why You're My Favorite Clients

 

As a newly promoted 23-year old soldier stationed at Ft Belvoir, Virginia, I was excited to take advantage of two amazing military benefits: BAH: Basic Allowance for Housing allowing me to move out of the barracks and off-post (yay!), and 100% VA Loan, no down payment required, to buy my own house (yay! again).

I had already spent a year or so exploring the area and knew exactly where I wanted to live. Kismet showed up on cue with a For Sale sign on the cutest one-bedroom cottage, with a white picket fence, in my price range, located in a quaint little town - literally over the river and through the woods. Yes, it really looked like this photo! I contacted the listing agent, who wrote and presented my offer, which the Seller accepted. Yay! #3. 

While under contract, the Northern Virginia real estate market took a hard left and prices went through the roof. Kismet krashed when I received a call from "my/not my" agent notifying me that the Seller was cancelling our contract and selling the home to someone else for much more. I was heartbroken. It wasn't until I shared my story with JAG that I realized just how naïve, and unrepresented, I was. 

It took another year to get over the sting of losing out on my dream home. I committed to being more prepared the next time and decided that the best way to be an educated homebuyer was to go to real estate school myself - not for the license, but for the knowledge. Which I did and subsequently purchased my first home.

Fast forward ten years ... 

A series of post-military corporate moves brought me to Utah, and soon afterward I took advantage of the opportunity to become a REALTOR®. Most agents will tell you that their favorite clients are sellers. Because of my first real estate experience, mine will forever be first-time homebuyers. I will always honor their trust in me.

Kim Novak, Broker/Owner, Novak Advantage Real Estate (801) 726-1443

ABR: Accredited Buyer Representative, RENE: Real Estate Negotiation Expert

Choosing the Right Agent: Is Your REALTOR® a Mentor or a Motivator (and which is right for you)?

men•tor mĕn′tôr″, -tər
noun. A wise and trusted counselor or teacher.

To serve as a trusted counselor or teacher, especially in occupational settings

A MENTOR is someone:
Who trusts your abilities to rise to the occasion
Who tells you what you NEED to hear
Who inspires confidence and pulls you along to become your best

mo•ti•vate mō′tə-vāt″
verb. To cause to be enthusiastic.

To provide with an incentive or a reason for doing something; impel.

A MOTIVATOR is someone:

You depend on to keep you "up"

Who tells you what you WANT to hear

Who needs to push you to action

I admit: I am a terrible motivator. 

Years of management experience, in and outside the field of real estate, has taught me that you truly cannot motivate another person. Motivation comes from within. You either are or aren't about whatever someone else is trying to motivate you to do or achieve. Most real estate agents are motivators, which is why the public often perceives those in my profession as pushy and self-serving.

I also admit: I am not for everyone.

"You didn't tell me that." This is a feeling I never want my clients to experience. I've built my service commitment on the foundation of helping my clients set achievable expectations, providing them with information about, well, everything, and being their step-by-step guide to a successful closing. Think of our relationship like learning a new language - Real Estate Immersion. 

Choosing the right agent is your prerogative. Don't leave it up to Yelp reviews or Zillow advertising. Interview your agent voice-to-voice and face-to-face(time). Ask for a résumé and references. Make sure that they are a "match." This initial step to achieving your homeownership goals, whether buying or selling, is on you.

So in closing, and kinda-sorta relevant because he attended the London School of Economics, I leave you with this profound insight from Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones ...

You can't always get what you want

But if you try sometimes, well, you just might find

You get what you need

Kim Novak is the Broker/Owner of Novak Advantage Real Estate. 

(lucky) 13 industry Designations and Certifications and 4 industry Awards, but at the center of all that are her Clients.

Kim can be reached by call/text/FaceTime at (801) 726-1443 and by email to kim@novakadvantage.com.