... The thrill of victory... and the agony of defeat. I mean, shouldn't house hunting be classified as a sport? Recently, I spent three weekends hunting with the same buyers. We went deep into the country to hunt for the ideal home. I typically work in the more populated areas of my county. But, this house hunting excursion really felt like a "hunt" and I had so much fun venturing into new and unfamiliar territory.
On second thought, maybe those winding roads through the upstate NY countryside were not really all that fun to navigate after all. See, climbing those hills and meandoring the curvy and very treacherous narrow roads - made me a little car sick at times. In the past, I've occasionally gotten car sick - but this time, it was ME doing the driving. And, my poor car probably will need a front-end alignment now, after all those bumpy dirt roads. Even on the paved roads, I was sure my SUV might possibly be swallowed up by ominous pot-holes. But this didn't stop me.
So, what exactly made it fun? Well, these buyers were just so delightful to work with. They are first time buyers and they started out not so sure of what they were looking for or where they would settle. A remote walkable village? A country setting with a generous slice of land? Older home? A newer, but unique home? One thing was for sure, they did not want a cookie cutter house in a cookie cutter neighborhood. No, these were not the typical buyers and that's what made it fun. I LOVE the not so ordinary and very unique properties! But, the challenge is finding one - in almost move-in condition too. 
By the third time out, I was finally in their mindset. I was starting to get a feel for what they wanted. On the final day of our search we looked at 6 houses. The first one was really nice, and then each property after that got better. I felt like we were getting real close to finding THE home and it was hard to surpress that little voice in me saying "whoo hoooo - this is THE day". I could just feel it.
As we drove through rough terrain, we would wonder where the road would lead us and what we would find when we arrived at the next property. It was adventourous. At one point, as I was rounding a bend and making my way uphill, I turned to the husband and said "I just love the hunt." He looked at me and laughed, as if I took the words right out of his mouth. We were getting warmer and warmer, and hotter and hotter. It was like being on a safari! Our hunting expedition involved finding the perfect home - out in the middle of no where. Boy, it sure felt like a game of some sort. Why isn't house hunting a sport? 
At the next house ...Eureka! We found it! THE home! ...And, speaking of hunting - attached to the family room wall was a great big moose head staring right down at us. The hunt was over - we not only found THE house, but we found a moose inside the house and we didn't even need a gun for this hunitng expedition!
...Ah! The thrill of victory! I consider myself an avid hunter who doesn't even own a gun. House hunting - it sure feels like a sport!
Your title really grabbed me, and I felt like I was along for the ride as I read this post and experienced flashbacks to my own house-hunting victories over the years. Great post, Carol!
Cool post, Carol! There is nothing more fun that a big adventure with clients who pass the Fun Test! Congratulations on the victory? Does Mr. Moose convey?
"The Search for Bullwinkle" is the title of Carol's new book on real estate...great post on one more reason why it is FUN to be a REALTOR®.
Glad Bullwinkle was on hand to welcome you...they must have had an interesting stager...oh not. House hunting CAN be a sport...in these days of no contact internet shopping sports....we all attempt to have our buyers' eyeballs do the walking....good luck....good job....!
Hi Carol - There are times "house hunting" appears to be a sport for many. I enjoy taking clients through homes and we do spend time looking for the "ideal" home.
Isn't it amazing, the feeling you have for that lucky couple when you see it in their eyes once they have found the home of their dreams. Especially when the both agree get the feeling at the same time.
That is great that you narrowed down their home and found it - yes the thrill of victory. House hunting can be a sport however, and I wonder how many really do it for sport.
Hi Carol, In this real estate market it is important to know what your client is looking for. Your post points out how sometimes it can take a few times out with a client to figure it out what they are really looking for. The Internet has transformed "house hunting" and once our clients have given us a list of potential homes they want to see we like to preview them before actually showing them. Sometimes the description and exterior photos don't tell the whole story.
Good Luck in your many House Hunting Adventures!
Sounds like you had a great time on this little expedition .. house hunting can be a lot of fun...and you made it seem like a good time for all. Enjoyed reading this post, and glad you found the perfect house for your clients.
I love House Hunting. There is a real thrill there. I'm working with a couple and we spotted the perfect home for them that just had a huge price reduction. We quickly saw it and took a shot at it. Unfortunately it's getting shot at by others. I'm hoping it won't be the one that got away.
Hi Carol,
Glad you managed to close that deal. I make it a shorter process by asking lots of question.
Carol- I enjoyed your post---Not too sure the moose did!
Just closed with a client who looked at over 50houses!! The hunt is OVER:)
I'm not a big fan of hunting, houses or otherwise, but I do think that real estate is clearly a sport that requires a lot of endurance. :)
Ha,,,good post today....so much for sport!
Patricia Aulson/ Portsmouth NH Real Estate
These are the best days for being a real estate agent -- I love the thrill of the hunt as well. Great post!
Dear Carol,
House hunting can be fun, but it really helps when the buyer tells you what they are hunting--deer or crocodiles!
Enjoyed your post.
Great Post Carol! I felt like I was along for the ride. House Hunting could definitely be classified as a sport with all of the supply out there!
Carol I share your enthusiasm- and agree- it is a hunt, and we know when we have found the trophy! Good for you! Hope you have a bulletless closing as well.
Hey Carol ~
I agree with you...It is a "contact" sport!
Hi Carol. The more time you spend with people, the more their needs become "apparent" to you. Glad the house hunting trip was worthwhile.
Carol, thanks for a fantastic and entertaining post. You're a great storyteller!
Why yes, now that you mention it Carol, house hunting should be a sport. I'm getting pretty good at it myself. Nice funny post. You wrote it well.
I love house hunting. It should be a sport.
Hi Carol -- I love looking at homes and it never gets old. I work with relocation buyers regularly which allows me to view a lot of different communities in different counties. Time consuming, yes, rewarding, absolutely.
Hi Carol... Congrats on the gold star! House Hinting could definitely be a sport. I know several competitive house hunters and agents who need a penalty box (like in hockey) when they are working on a deal!
What a delight to read! Should we petition the Olympics for entry at the next games?
Fun article and creative use of metaphor. Entertaining, indeed. I encourage you to try to find a real estate magazine to publish the piece. I think most readers would enjoy the truth behind your humor.
Fun article and creative use of metaphor. Entertaining, indeed. I encourage you to try to find a real estate magazine to publish the piece. I think most readers would enjoy the truth behind your humor.
I agree, the hunt is fun with fun buyers....But you do have the cold, rainy, nothing but bugs and poision ivy kind of hunting too.... when they bring the parents! lol great post! I agree to see if you can get it published!
Yes I have had some buyers crash through the fence like the old commercial about agony about defeat.
That was a great read. The throll of victory the agony of defeat. I love it!
Carol - Well written I too felt as if I was along for the ride. Congratulations on being a successful hunter without a gun. :)
Sometimes that is for sure the way it feels. All the best.
Very Interesting indeed. It is all in the game isn't. Thanks for the hunt and thrill of the ride.
Carol, how fun. I loved you sharing your adventure. I believe this is what real estate should be. I have sold a lot of real estate in rural Colorado and covered many, many miles of dirt roads. The people we are with on those journeys are the gift.
Carol: Some days it seems as if it is a sport.. Some times it seems as if our own client is trying to win single handed..
Great post
I always say that real esate is not a sprint, but a marathon!
You are a fantastic writer, I agree with the folks here, the title grabbed me right away, and the story was awesome!
Keep up the great work!
Harrison Painter
Great analogy! In our PC world, I think you need one of those disclaimers 'no animals were injured in the making of this sale.'
It should definitely be classified as a sport. What a witty and fun way to describe the process and the feeling involved.
What a GREAT story, Carol - very entertaining!
I gotta know, though - - - di your buyers get to keep the moose? :-)
Hi Carol, Thanks for sharing.
Best - Sash
Thanks Carol! We know the feeling of that 'victory' of having done what we have trained for and having done it well! Good post! Thanks.
Carol I thing you are so right and great post. It feels great when you and a buyer/seller accomplish the sell/buy and as Bruce& Mary put it, it feels like victory.
Bettina
Carol - What a great perspective! I think more than anything else it's the people that make the search fun! You might as well choose who you work for and with when you can, because you end up spending quite a bit of time with those buyers and vice versa.