Exhausted.

Is buyer fatigue a real thing?  The resounding answer is YES.  The current state of the market in Connecticut is so competitive and has been for a good long time now.  Oftentimes, buyers are making several offers and face rejection after rejection before ever having an offer accepted.  Over time, the frustration and emotional and mental exhaustion can be extremely taxing.  

The truth is, I have seen and experienced this first hand with many clients over the last several years.  I’d like to be able to tell you, “Hey- Work with me! I’m the BEST and can guarantee to get your offer accepted every time!”  But the reality is, despite all the strategies up my sleeve, there are times a buyer’s budget and/or risk tolerance simply can’t compete with others out there who may just have more money to work with and/or the ability and willingness to purchase with little to no contingencies in a contract.

So what is a fatigued buyer without a giant pile of cash to do?  Here are a few ideas to get through the pain and suffering:

Keep the lines of communication OPEN. 

Trust me, your Realtor is used to doubling as a therapist.  This was true even before buyer fatigue was a thing.  But beyond the commiserating, we are here to help you strategize and customize your approach property by property.  Nothing about this process is one size fits all.

Reevaluate your search criteria. 

It’s possible you’re being too specific and could be missing out on quality home options.  The list of wants and needs you made at the start of your search may not be the same now.  But remember that there is no such thing as perfect.  And always keep in mind the things you can change vs those you can’t.  For example,  central air may be a MUST HAVE for you.  But if you can get a home that otherwise checks all the boxes, why not consider adding central air on your own?  I know updates and upgrades can seem daunting, but your Realtor can also help in that arena to make referrals and connect you with professionals to help price, install, etc.  Flexibility is key and will serve you well in the long run.

Be at the ready.

If you are a serious buyer in this market, you may need to be flexible with your schedule and your priorities.  Properties are still selling in days, some even less. Chances are, you expect availability and flexibility from your Realtor.  The process works best if that’s a two way street.

Give yourself credit.

Participating in the current market is not for the faint of heart.  If you’re in it and you’re persevering despite the obstacles and rejections, you’re kind of a rockstar. Whether you’ve made 1 offer or 17+ or anywhere in between, I’m willing to bet you’ve learned something with each one.  Pat yourself on the back for progress and have faith that the one that’s meant to be will be.

I recently saw a quote on Facebook that has become my mantra for all the exhausted buyers out there (okay, and maybe for exhausted me, too). “Rejection is protection for something greater that is to come.”  Hang in there, Rockstars.