[Boomer]

Kayaker,

In October of 2007, when the decline in real estate was starting to get a real footing, a TV sales rep's parting shot to me as we were leaving a model home was, "You will be sorry if you do not buy at this price."

For some reason, that comment rubbed me the wrong way. It struck me as manipulative. Her words, "You will be sorry," actually just plain ticked me off. Maybe that's just me, but I felt like I was being talked down to. While I am sure your rep is much nicer, or at least uses better word choice, the fact remains, their interest is their interest.

I was there to get the lay of land, considering a second home. I was tiptoeing in to see what I thought. I had not even talked about price. I was not even close to that point. And had I been, I still would have not liked that snippy comment.

Enough about all that, the point is......

The rep was trying to create a sense of urgency. That's what some of them do. And urgency worked well for them during the high times. I just never could do urgency.

Now, you may think that this is a little harsh, or maybe a lot harsh, or you may think it does not even make any sense at all. But here's what I would do if I were you......

I would take whatever the TV sales rep is saying completely out of the equation.

After removing the sales pitch, use what you know as fact and work through what you really want and how you know you can make it work. That's it. This is about you and your own personal cost of sleep.

My, my, I seem to be sounding a little bossy tonight. Oh well, just my advice. You asked. And, whoops, I think I already said the same thing somewhere on here a week or two ago. It's just this time, I am using that example of the rep having no idea what she was talking about, other than trying to sell a house by creating that sense of urgency.

Anyway, I really do wish you the best. This thing is so different for everybody.

Oh, and while I am being so bossy, I would like to suggest that you might want to find a good MLS rep and look at some pre-owned homes and if you have not looked at any of TV's pre-owned listings, you might want to do that, too. There are some lovely places with upgrades and much lower, or even fully paid, bonds.

Now, I need to get out of here for awhile. I am getting way too into this being bossy stuff.

Good luck, Kayaker. I hope you will keep us posted. (And I will try to stop being so bossy.)

Boomer Lucy (Advice 5 cents)