As you sell your old home (ideally with renovation by Freemodel for maximum profit), you’re probably looking to buy a new one. Be aware that tedious, out-of-date advice about the buying process can come from all directions. From tips to warning signs to advice from agents to financial planning, there is a lot of information out there! This was especially true of real estate content in 2020. Though it might feel like a lifetime ago, the pandemic and subsequent effect on the economy were only a few years back, and a lot of the advice and notions about the housing market that came out of that time have lingered to this day.

With access to a vast virtual library of advice and writing on the topic of home buying and renovating during the pandemic, all of us had access to a lot of information and opinions—many of which were understandably grounded in fear. As years have passed and we have come out of the pandemic, we believe that housing advice should be adapting as well! Here are some outdated homebuying tips from 2020 that may no longer be relevant:

Project director Joelle Belmonte’s project in San Francisco, CA

Outdated Advice #1: Don’t negotiate.

Back in 2020, bidding wars were rampant and the competition was high. There was a notion that asking for any type of savings or concessions on the listing price was a surefire way to not get the house you were putting an offer on. Now that interest rates are higher in 2023 than they were in 2020, there are more of a limited number of buyers who can afford homes. This means that homes can sit on the market a bit longer, which puts more of the power back into the buyer's hands.

Outdated Advice #2: Find your dream home on a big listing site.

During the pandemic, online house hunting and working with an agent were the only two ways to safely house hunt. While sites like Realtor.com or Zillow showcase amazing homes for sale, there was a good chance that every other interested buyer in the area was looking at the same house. This could have driven up the competition and price for those specific homes.

Now, instead of relying on traditional methods, it is recommended that eager buyers like you can find sellers by utilizing area-specific Facebook groups and community forums. This way, you can build local relationships and make people aware of your interest in buying in their area. You’re likely to get on the radar of people who are eager to sell before they’ve even listed a house or gotten their agent involved. This can save everyone time and money, being a win-win for both the seller and the buyer!

Project Director Melissa Jones’ project in Mill Valley, CA

Outdated Advice #3: Send a “love letter” with your offer.

Going along with the stiff competition that was the 2020 real estate market, another outdated piece of advice is that you should write a “love letter” with your offer. During the pandemic, competition was high and bidding wars were practically inevitable, so it was often advised to send a caring, heartfelt letter along with your offer to butter up the sellers to choose you.

While sending a letter can still be a nice gesture, the timing on when to send it has changed. It is now advised to send a love letter to several people in your target neighborhood around 6 months before you are ready to buy. While you may not hear back right away, you may receive some calls down the road from people preparing to sell their home who are looking for someone emotionally invested in it!

Outdated Advice #4: Prioritize homes with office and gym spaces.

During the pandemic, many people looked at their home-buying priorities and wanted to be able to fulfill every aspect of their lives while at home. This meant that homes with larger square footage or spare rooms that could be made into offices and gyms were in high demand. While extra space is still a nice-to-have, our world has turned back to a safer, more flexible place with hybrid work schedules and safe ways to stay active outdoors or at gyms. Looking for homes that meet a whole host of life needs just isn’t realistic anymore, and may severely limit your options. We recommend keeping an open mind while house hunting and differentiating between your must-haves and nice-to-haves.

Project Director Susan Lennon’s project in Venice, CA

While much of 2020’s homebuying advice was born out of times of fear and stiff competition, it is important to recognize how the tides of the real estate market have changed since then. Buyer power and eagerness have adapted as inventory levels have continued to rise, removing the need for some old bargaining and softening tactics. We recommend getting your name out there in the neighborhoods that you’re interested in early on, don’t be afraid to negotiate within your comfort levels, and keep a clear list of priorities throughout the process. Happy home hunting!