Why Does Everyone Think The Other Side Is Crazy?

Spend enough time around real estate and you'll eventually notice something interesting.

Buyers think sellers are unreasonable.

Sellers think buyers are unreasonable.

Agents often think both sides are unreasonable.

And somehow, everyone is convinced they're the rational one in the conversation.

So who's right?

The answer may be more complicated than many people realize.

The Seller's View

Many sellers have spent years living in their homes.

They've invested money into repairs, maintenance, renovations, landscaping and upgrades.

They've replaced roofs.

Updated kitchens.

Painted walls.

Repaired decks.

Changed windows.

Maintained furnaces.

Cleaned, staged and prepared their homes for market.

Some have invested thousands.

Others have invested hundreds of thousands.

When an offer arrives significantly below their expectations, many sellers feel frustrated.

From their perspective, buyers are ignoring the time, money and effort that went into the property.

The seller often sees value.

The buyer often sees a negotiation opportunity.

Those are not always the same thing.

The Buyer's View

Buyers face their own challenges.

Higher home prices.

Higher borrowing costs.

Property taxes.

Insurance.

Maintenance.

Unexpected repairs.

Moving expenses.

Many buyers are trying to stretch their budgets as far as possible.

As a result, they often focus on what still needs to be done.

They notice older flooring.

A dated kitchen.

A smaller backyard.

A bathroom renovation they may want in the future.

From their perspective, they are trying to understand the total cost of ownership.

What a seller views as a well-maintained home, a buyer may view as a future project.

Again, neither side is necessarily wrong.

They're simply looking at the same property through different lenses.

The Agent's View

Agents often find themselves stuck in the middle.

They hear seller expectations.

They hear buyer objections.

They hear feedback after showings.

They see competing listings.

They understand current market conditions.

In many situations, agents are trying to bridge a gap between two parties who see the world very differently.

That isn't always easy.

One side believes the property is worth more.

The other believes it is worth less.

The agent's challenge is finding common ground.

The Market Isn't One Person

One of the most common phrases in real estate is:

"The market has spoken."

But what does that actually mean?

A property's value is not determined by one universal opinion.

Different buyers can view the exact same property very differently.

One buyer may believe a home is worth $800,000.

Another may gladly pay $900,000.

A third may not be interested at any price.

Who is right?

In many ways, all of them.

Value is ultimately determined when a willing buyer and a willing seller reach an agreement.

Until then, every number is simply an opinion.

Interest rates, inventory levels, economic conditions and buyer sentiment can all influence that conversation.

But every sale still comes down to an individual buyer deciding what a property is worth to them and a seller deciding whether they are willing to accept it.

That is why the same home can sell for dramatically different prices in different market conditions even when nothing about the property itself has changed.

Why Real Estate Becomes Emotional

Unlike many purchases, real estate is personal.

Sellers often see memories.

Buyers often see costs.

Agents often see obstacles.

Each group enters the transaction with different priorities.

That can make even simple negotiations feel surprisingly emotional.

The conversation is rarely just about numbers.

It is often about expectations.

The Danger Of Assuming Motives

One mistake people frequently make is assuming they know why the other side is behaving a certain way.

The seller assumes the buyer is trying to take advantage of them.

The buyer assumes the seller is greedy.

The agent assumes neither side is listening.

Sometimes those assumptions are accurate.

Many times they are not.

Without understanding the full picture, it can be easy to misinterpret what is actually happening.

What Both Sides Often Forget

Most buyers are not trying to offend sellers.

Most sellers are not trying to frustrate buyers.

Most agents are not trying to create conflict.

In most cases, everyone is simply trying to achieve the best outcome for themselves.

That doesn't mean they'll agree on value.

It doesn't mean they'll reach a deal.

But it does explain why the same situation can look completely different depending on where you're standing.

PMB Takeaway

Real estate often feels like a battle between buyers, sellers and agents.

In reality, each group is working from a different set of experiences, priorities and financial realities.

The next time the other side seems completely unreasonable, it may be worth asking a simple question:

Are they crazy?

Or are they simply seeing the situation differently than you are?

Join The Conversation

Have another perspective or experience to share? Whether you're a buyer, seller, agent, builder or other real estate professional, we'd love to hear it.

Comments are reviewed before publication to help keep discussions respectful, constructive and helpful for everyone.

About Property MarketBase (PMB)

Property MarketBase (PMB) is a Canadian property marketing platform that provides additional exposure and discovery opportunities for sellers, agents, builders and buyers.

Looking for additional exposure for your property? Explore Property MarketBase and discover another opportunity for buyers to find your listing.

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, tax, appraisal, inspection, or real estate advice. Readers should conduct their own research and seek professional advice where appropriate.