Things You Shouldn’t Be Embarrassed to Tell Me as Your Realtor
Buying your first home is exciting, nerve-wracking, and honestly… a little overwhelming. I get it. I work with first-time home buyers all the time, and one thing I want you to know is this: there’s absolutely nothing you should feel embarrassed to tell me. Real estate is a huge life decision, and your honesty only makes me better at helping you.
Here are a few situations I’ve seen come up—and why you don’t need to feel awkward about them.
Not Winning an Offer
I’ve been with clients who put their absolute best foot forward on an offer—strong financing, clean terms, and even a heartfelt letter—and still didn’t get the house. It stings. I’ve had people text me worried that they “let me down” somehow or they need to let go of certain contingencies. Please know this: you did not fail. The market is competitive, and sometimes it’s just timing or another buyer’s terms lining up differently. What matters is that we stay persistent and find your home, not just any home. It simply just wasn't the home for you!
Wanting to Withdraw an Offer Before Acceptance
I had a client once who called me the morning after we spent all night drafting and submitting an offer, her voice shaky, saying, “I can’t stop thinking about it, and I don’t think I want this house anymore.” She was so nervous to admit it. But here’s the thing—until a seller accepts, you are not locked in. It’s far better to be honest about your gut feeling now than regret a huge purchase later. I’m here to support you, not pressure you.
Personal Changes That Shift Your Plans
Life doesn’t stop just because you’re house hunting. I’ve had buyers call me saying they just got a new job, or their financial situation changed, and suddenly buying isn’t possible anymore or you're not looking in the same area. You might feel guilty about “wasting my time,” but trust me—you’re not. My goal is to help when the timing is right for you, and sometimes that means hitting pause.
Needing to Reschedule
Life happens. People get sick, work runs late, traffic is awful—you name it. I’ve had people apologizing a hundred times because they needed to move a showing or meeting. Please don’t stress. You’re not inconveniencing me, you’re just being human. I’d rather work around your real life than have you scrambling or showing up frazzled and in the wrong headspace.
Sharing Your Non-Negotiables
Sometimes buyers hesitate to tell me their true “must-haves” because they think they’re being too picky. I had a situation where clients whispered that they couldn’t stand carpet and felt silly making it a dealbreaker or having a bathtub in at least one bathroom. But here’s the truth: this is your home. If a certain feature (or lack of one) is going to bother you every day, it’s important I know that from the start. You’re not picky—you just know what matters to you and these changes are not always cheap!
Asking “Silly” Questions
There is no such thing as a silly question. I once had a buyer sheepishly ask me if they were supposed to bring their own lightbulbs when they moved in. Guess what? If you don’t know, you don’t know! I’d rather you ask me 1,000 small things than sit in confusion or stress. Real estate has its own language, and it’s my job to translate it for you.
Bottom Line
You don’t need to feel embarrassed or apologetic about any of this. The best relationships I have with clients are the ones where they’re completely honest with me—whether it’s about their excitement, their fears, or the curveballs life throws in.
If you’re thinking about buying your first home, I’d love to be that safe space for you. Take a look at my First-Time Buyer’s Guide under the Buyers Tab above, or reach out directly so we can start talking about your goals!
