Gen X Home Buyers

In an article recently published by "Realtor" Magazine,
Generation X buyers/sellers have different expectations
from agents. Here are a few of the traits listed:

1.) Prefer to have an outline of expectations/ agenda
prior to agreeing to list a house with any agent. Gen X
wants to know where the effort, time, money, and
resources are going before they commit to a broker.

2.) Gen X wants complete market data and privacy too;
they do not want to see agent websites that boast about
volume or production, but they do want to tap in to
resources without having to divulge personal information.
They do not like agents that withhold information, or
pretend to know answers when they really don't.

3.) Compassion and more privacy: Most Gen X'ers are
first or second-time home buyers right now, and they
are often over educated and cash-poor, and prefer to
speak with a lender about their financial burdens,
rather than a real estate agent. (I agree with this!
Lenders are the financial experts, not agents.)

4.) Surprises are not fun with this group of clients.
They want to know what fees to expect, and when.
Where is the commission money going (for sellers),
and what obligations do they have (for buyers)?
These are all valid concerns for everyone, but this
generation tends to read all the fine print, does
research online about trends, and has their questions
ready before they pick up the phone, or get in the car.

5.) I'm adding this one - Flexibility! Lots of the clients
that I work with the 30-35 age range have non-
traditional work places or hours. They may work from
home, or be self-employed, or work 8-5, then take
evening MBA classes... it's extremely hard to fit in to
their schedules. They expect concise answers within
a short time frame that they prefer to pre-arrange with
you. (Example: Call between 4:00 and 4:15pm only).

6.) I'm adding this one, too - Technology! Gen X is
smart and savvy. They are constantly emailing me with
new websites and sources of data that they come across
and want my opinion. They whip out calculators and
price things by square foot and lot size, rather than
just fall in love with the master bath tub. If you don't
have text messaging on your cell as an agent, you are
missing out on a primary communication medium.