How to Keep the (Home-Buying) Millennials Happy

Millennials have many regrets: from buying $6 lattes, to their iconic social media obsession, to perhaps, my own regret, being a millennial at all.

But who wants to have major regrets, the kind with consequences that’ll stick for decades, if not a lifetime? I’m thinking overwhelming student debt, landing a not-so-great job, or buying a house that’s not even close to being your dream home. According to Forbes, 81% of homeowners between 18 and 34 have at least one regret about their home. Now I know what you’re thinking: “We all have regrets about something. You millennials can get over it.”

But millennials, like anyone else, should be able to step into their new home with peace of mind. And with so many options for homebuying, it can be hard to know what peace of mind even looks like.

Well, you know what gives me peace of mind when I need help making a serious decision? What gives most of you peace of mind? Not just efficiency, not just convenience – competence. And in the case of homebuying, a qualified agent that can give me the best options for my conditions.

It needs to be clear that an agent (buying or selling) has control of their medium. Yes, you can just dangle a shiny screen and you’ll get a millennial’s attention…but to keep it, agents need to show that they’re qualified, that they mean business and that they have the client’s best interests at heart. If they’re qualified, they’ll have the markings of a professional. If they mean business, they’ll use the proper marketing to keep a client interested. If they have our best interests at heart, they’ll use tools that are the best, and made by the best, to show we’re in capable hands.

That first impression is going to mean everything. If I’m scoping out a new apartment, that’s what I’ll be looking for. Are the managers polite? Are their processes and technology updated to today’s standards? Are the materials impressive? Will they draw me in? In other words, are they trying to display the perks of moving in? If I know that they’re willing to put effort into the smallest details, I’ll know they’ll do the same for other aspects of the job. Here’s the truth: when searching for anything, the typical millennial can quickly sniff out quality when we see what kind of effort was put into the presentation.

Millennials/tech pros need to see that an agent can achieve more. We need to see that professionalism in logos, ebrochures, on social media, etc., down to the simplest email signatures (a hallmark of successful adulting). It’s not just about having nice stationary. It’s about knowing that an agent is well-prepared, has done their homework and will use that to point me in the right direction.

You’ve heard that we millennials can be entitled. I’d say we’re just picky. And if I’ve found an agent who can make my life easier during such a stressful, significant time, I know I won’t have any major regrets when I make the big decision.