If I could ask everyone who has ever been or ever will be a buyer of real estate to take an oath, it would be short. And it would go something like: “I pledge to be a good real estate consumer, and I promise to find a good balance between taking an active role in my experience and finding help.”

I have broken this oath a few times in my experience, and those were painful transgressions. Either I failed to consider the value of a good agent in the business, or I chose foolishly. Either I had handed over my home search or sale too much to someone else, or I thought I could do it all myself. A few times I’ve gotten it right, and there’s nothing better than knowing that it’s possible to buy or sell a home in Colorado (or any other state) without putting your life savings into the swear jar.

THE KEYS ARE NOT IN THE LOCK BOX, THEY’RE IN YOU
I’m not a realtor, or a REALTOR® , or a real estate expert, but I am a realist with a brain that works, and that entitles me to the opinion that the road to a good experience in any real estate transaction begins and ends with the basics: Real estate involves a series of collaborative efforts, and you are in charge of the formal and informal partnerships you create and negotiate.

We’ll do more delving into the art of being a good consumer of real estate, which, by the way, has never been easier to accomplish. That’s the good news. The bad news is that making seemingly small errors in judgment can cost you money, time, energy, happiness, and even relationships.

In future installments, I give you my take on the scarlet A: Agents. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the myths and stereotypes that plague them. I’ll opine on the market, using conditions to your advantage. And of course, more on how to use the modern conveniences of today to arm yourself with the information it takes to make good decisions.

Stay tuned, and as always, weigh in with your own opinion in the comments section.