Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. We will be in touch with you shortly.

The Price of Perfection: Don’t Wait for the Perfect Home

Noopur Gupta July 10, 2024

The Price of Perfection: Don’t Wait for the Perfect Home




In life, patience is a virtue – but in the world of homebuying, waiting too long in hopes of finding the perfect home actually isn't wise. That’s because the pursuit of perfection comes at a cost. And in this case, that cost may be delaying your dream of homeownership. As Bankrate explains:

“One of the most common first-time homebuyer mistakes is looking for a home that checks each of your boxes. Looking for perfection can narrow your choices and lead you to pass over good, suitable options for starter homes in the hopes that something better will come along.”

The Cost of Holding Out for Perfection

Nothing in life is ever perfect – and that's true when you search for a home too. Unless you’re building a brand-new home from the ground up, chances are there are going to be some features or finishes you wouldn’t have picked yourself. It may be as simple as paint colors, a light fixture, or the tile in the bathrooms or kitchen. Or even that the backyard isn’t fenced in. It could also be that the home itself is great, but it’s not the ideal location you were hoping for.

But here’s the trade-off you'd be making without even realizing it. In all that time you’d spend searching for the perfect place, you’d overlook a lot of homes that would’ve worked for you. U.S. News explains:

“. . . you may miss opportunities if you enter the process with blinders on and aren’t open-minded . . . Countless potential buyers never buy because of this, and thus miss great investments or never move on to the next chapter of their lives.”

It’s Time To Redefine Perfection

Especially with affordability and inventory where they are today, buying a home that needs some updates, is a few neighborhoods away from your ideal location, or doesn’t have all your desired features can be a smart move. Here’s why.

For starters, these homes are usually more affordable, which is important at a time when some buyers are struggling to find options in their budget.

And they give you a chance to make the space your own or discover a whole new area of town. You may find out you actually love that neighborhood. Or, swapping out a feature here or there after move-in isn’t such a big deal. So, look past the green shag carpet and see the bones of the house. With a little vision and creativity, you can turn a good house into a fantastic home.

How an Agent Helps You Explore Your Options

If you’re open to a home that needs a little elbow grease or is a bit further out, let your agent know. They’ll be happy to show you how this can really open up your pool of homes to pick from. They’ll also help coach you through this process by:

1. Prioritizing Your Must-Haves: Your agent will want to revisit your wish list and separate your non-negotiables from your nice-to-haves. From there, they’ll focus on what’s really most important to you as they come up with a bigger list of options for you to choose from.

2. Coaching You To See the Potential: As you tour these added options, your agent will help you look beyond cosmetic flaws and imagine what the home could be with a little work. Simple updates like a fresh coat of paint or new flooring can make a big difference.

3. Connecting You with Local Pros: And an agent’s support goes one step further. If they know what you’re hoping to change after you move in, they can connect you with local pros who can get the job done. That way it’s less work for you, and you don’t have to worry about tracking down contractors.

Bottom Line

Remember, there is no perfect home. But with expert help and an open mind, we can find you the right home – even in today’s market. Let’s connect to see what’s out there.

Recent Blog Posts

Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.

Understanding Today’s Mortgage Rates: Is 3% Coming Back?

More Homes for Sale Isn’t a Warning Sign – It's Your Buying Opportunity

Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of 2025

Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of the Year

Why Some Homes Sell Faster Than Others Why Some Homes Sell Faster Than Others FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedIn As you think ahead to your own move, you may have noticed some houses sell within days, while others linger. But why is that? As Redfin says: “. . . today’s housing market has been topsy-turvy since the pandemic. Low inventory (though rising) and high prices have created a strange mix: Some homes are flying off the market, while others sit for weeks.” That may leave you wondering what you should expect when you sell. Let’s break it down and give you some actionable tips on how to make sure your house is one that sells quickly. Homes Are Still Selling Faster Than Pre-Pandemic The first thing you should know is that, in most markets, things have slowed down a little bit. While you may remember how quickly homes sold a few years ago, that’s not what you should expect today. Now that inventory has grown, according to Realtor.com, homes are taking a bit longer to sell in today’s market (see graph below): a graph of a bar chartBut before you get hung up on the ten-day difference compared to the past few years, Realtor.com will help put this into perspective: “In April, the typical home spent 50 days on the market . . . This marks the 13th straight month of homes taking longer to sell on a year-over-year basis. Still, homes are moving more quickly than they did before the pandemic . . .” By this comparison, if your house does take a little more time to sell this year, it’s not really a concern. It’s actually still faster than the norm. Plus, it gives you a bit more time to find your next home, which is welcome relief when you’re trying to move, too. Just remember, some homes sell in less time than this. Some take even longer. So, what’s the real difference? Why do some homes attract eager buyers almost instantly, while others sit and struggle? It comes down to having the right agent and strategy. Here are a few tips you need to know. 1. Price It Right One of the biggest reasons homes sit on the market is overpricing. Many sellers want to shoot for a higher price, thinking they can lower it later – but that backfires by turning buyers away. What to do: Work with an agent to make sure your house is priced right. They’ll analyze recent comparable sales (what other homes have sold for recently in your area), so you know you’re pricing appropriately for today’s market and what buyers are willing to pay. As Chen Zhao, Economic Research Lead at Redfin, explains: “My advice to sellers is to price your home fairly for the shifting market; you may need to price lower than your initial instinct to sell quickly and avoid giving concessions.” 2. Focus on the First Impression A messy yard or a house that needs paint? It’ll turn buyers off. Since buyers decide within seconds whether they like a home, a good first impression is key. What to do: Outside, clean up your front yard, tidy up your landscaping, power wash walkways, and add fresh mulch. Inside, declutter and depersonalize. And consider minor touch-ups like repainting in a neutral tone. Your agent will offer advice on what to tackle. 3. Strong Marketing & High-Quality Listing Photos If your listing or your photos don’t look professional, you could have trouble drawing in buyers who think you’re trying to cut corners. What to do: Instead, lean on your agent’s skills, expertise, and resources. They’ll help you make sure you have: High-resolution listing photos showing the home in its best light. Detailed descriptions that highlight differentiating features of your house. Your listing on multiple platforms, including major real estate sites and social media. 4. The Location of the Home You may have heard the phrase “location, location, location” when it comes to real estate. And there’s definitely some truth to that. Homes in highly sought-after neighborhoods tend to sell faster. What to do: While you can’t change where your house is located, your agent can highlight the best features of your neighborhood or community in your listing. By showcasing what’s great about your area, they can help draw buyers into what life would look like in your house. Bottom Line Homes that sell quickly don’t necessarily have better features – they have better agents and a better strategy. Are you thinking about selling? Connect with an agent to talk about how to get your home sold quickly and for top dollar.

Your Home Equity Could Make Moving Possible

What an Economic Slowdown Could Mean for the Housing Market

Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait?

Pre-Approval Isn’t Commitment – It’s Clarity

subu redfin
Pratima Gluckman
WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

While working with Noopur, I realized she's the perfect blend of big-tech professionalism combined with passion for real estate. Her product manager background truly shone through. Noopur was incredibly systematic, her analyses of homes and prices were spot-on, and she kept everyone informed with clear next steps. Additionally, as a seasoned real estate investor herself, Noopur's knowledge went far beyon...

— Devesh Y.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

We wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for all the hard work, dedication, and expertise you have put into helping us find and close our future dream home. Working with you throughout this journey has been an absolute pleasure, and we are overjoyed with the outcome. Your promptness and responsiveness was what set you apart from others. Even during the closing process, we truly appreci...

— Buyer

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

We recently bought our home with Noopur in San Jose. It was a great experience working with her, having her in the house hunt journey has been comforting and a fulfilling experience! She does her fiduciary duty at all times by advocating for us as a buyer with full transparency. Also helped us with figuring out investment strategies as we were moving up. She is very dedicated, thorough, patient with a...

— Buyer

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Even though we weren't first-time homebuyers, my wife and I still needed a lot of guidance navigating this competitive market. Noopur was an absolute rockstar! Her knowledge of the local market is top-notch. While we had some experience, the market had changed significantly since our last purchase. Noopur expertly brought us up to speed and identified homes that fit our evolving needs and preferences. S...

— Ranjan N.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

My experience with Noopur was outstanding. She exuded trustworthiness from the start, ensuring transparent communication and always prioritizing my best interests. Their negotiation skills were top-notch, securing favorable terms while maintaining positive relationships with all parties involved. Noopur was incredibly efficient, never missing a beat in the fast-paced real estate market. Her passion for ...

— Chaitali I.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Noopur Gupta is a top-notch real estate agent who knows a lot about the local market, communicates well with her clients, and acts professionally. She is honest and reliable, good at negotiating, and quick to respond. Noopur loves her job and works hard to help clients, offering useful advice and making the whole process smooth and enjoyable. I would recommend Noopur to anyone looking to buy their dream ...

— Prasanth S.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Noopur Gupta played a pivotal role in helping us discover our first real estate property, and our excitement knows no bounds. Being first-time real estate investors, we initially found the process quite intimidating. However, Noopur stood by us through every phase. She was consistently available to address our questions, offer reassurance, and provide valuable suggestions. With an extensive network of co...

— Pratima G.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Noopur did an outstanding job in finding us our new vacation home. She is very thorough, and stays on top of everything. She showed us many good options, and laid down the pros and cons. She has great negotiating skills. I would work with her again in my future ventures.

— Buyer

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

I had the pleasure of working with Noopur as my realtor, and I cannot say enough good things about her. Noopur was incredibly on top of communication throughout the entire process. She went above and beyond to ensure that all parties involved were kept in the loop, and was transparent and honest in all communication. One of the things I appreciated most about working with Noopur was her willingness to he...

— Shashidhar D. | Buyer

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Noopur, our exceptional real estate agent, made our search for a vacation home in Monterey County an absolute breeze! Her diligence, extensive area knowledge, and meticulous research truly set her apart. Noopur's deep understanding of the Monterey County area was evident as she guided us through a variety of beautiful properties. What truly stood out was her transparent approach – she walked us through ...

— Buyer

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

We loved working with Noopur on our recent home purchase. She is very experienced and savvy about real estate investments and made a complex process fairly easy. Noopur has a great understanding of the entire home buying process and is very knowledgeable of the area. We had a few challenges during the closing process, but she advised us and kept us informed each step of the way minimizing our stress. N...

— Anu T.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

We are out-of-state investors. Noopur Gupta knows Bay area and Marina like the back of her hand. She pinpointed neighborhoods with serious growth potential that fit my investment goals. In this game, local knowledge is power, and Noopur has plenty of it. It's rare to find a realtor with such a combination of local market knowledge, professionalism, dedication, and personalized service. I wholeheartedly r...

— Shaachi G. | Buyer

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Noopur did an amazing job helping us find our home and at a great price! Her expertise in researching on the property, consistent communication with the listing agent and transparency in communicating with us at each step were huge pluses and built our trust on her. Noopur was very confident negotiating a good price. She was very responsive and available whenever we needed her, be it setting up home view...

— Arch A, | Buyer

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Noopur did an outstanding job of assisting us with the buying of our house. Her expertise in the market's geographic area was good. She was very much involved in all aspects of closing. Her attitude towards everyone was friendly and responsive. Noopur carried out all the procedures painlessly and stress free for all of us. She was knowledgeable and was very hands on throughout the entire process. Thanks ...

— Manali D. | Buyer

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Noopur did an outstanding job assisting us with the purchase of our first home. Her passion and expertise in real estate shone through every step of the way. She patiently guided us through the entire process, offering invaluable advice during the bidding phase and maintaining exceptional communication throughout. Looking back, Noopur's empathy and commitment to us were particularly commendable. She took...

— subu redfin | Bought a Single Family home in 2024 in Lorelei manor, Menlo park, CA.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Noopur Gupta played a pivotal role in helping us close our dream home and first real estate property, and our excitement knows no bounds. Being first-time real estate investors, we initially found the process quite intimidating. However, Noopur stood by us through every phase. She was consistently available to address our questions, offer reassurance, and provide valuable suggestions and always goes abov...

— Pratima Gluckman

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

I cannot say enough about Noopur’s dedication, expertise, tireless work, attention to detail, and overall professionalism. She was so thorough on everything from market research to recommendations related to contractors, stagers, and title company. The effort she put into orchestrating all the people, communication, and moving parts was no small fete. She stayed focused and navigated the end to end proce...

— KA | I cannot say enough about Noopur’s dedication, expertise, tireless work

Work With Noopur

My goal is to make the home buying/selling experience for my clients least stressful possible. I provide them resources, knowledge, insights, trusted consultants for finances, property management, vendors etc.