I’m curious as to how sellers or buyers feel about this. I don’t think I’ve ever been ask the question by a potential client as to whether I own a home or have ever owned a home. Of course, given my “age” they probably assume that some where along the line, I’ve been a homeowner.
It does seem to be a good question to ask an agent when you’re interviewing them, doesn’t it?
If an agent doesn’t own - or has never owned - how will they know what you’re going through? They won’t have experienced making all those little repairs that are typical of home ownership. They won’t know the pluses and minuses of certain features or “non-features” of homes a buyer is viewing. How many homes should an agent have owned, i.e. how much experience should they have in home ownership?
I wonder if younger agents are asked the question. Whaddaya think?
For the record, I’ve been the owner (or co-owner) of five homes. I tend to stay-put a lot! 
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Elaine Reese
614-825-8860Real Living HER
4 responses so far ↓
Carole Cohen // June 28, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Hi Elaine, this is a thought-provoking question! On the one hand, some people would get it even if they had never owned. But for the most part I agree, sort of like saying managers do a better job if they have been ‘out in the field’ or ‘on the floor’ first.
Something tells me I’ve moved around a lot more than you have, but maybe not lol. However, it turns out we have both owned the same number of homes, five lol. I rented a lot before I moved to maryland and when I first moved back here. Today I mowed the lawn which I love to do. Then I looked at all the cleaning I need to do. Ugh I hate that part! So for a brief moment I was wishing I was a renter again! (Of course your answer is, Carole, you have to clean even if you are a renter
)
Elaine Reese // June 28, 2008 at 8:44 pm
I’ve moved a lot when we … and then “I” … were renting. The first home “I” bought, I stayed there 8 yrs. Only stayed 18 months in my Tucson home, then came back to Ohio. I’ve been in my current home 11 years.
I do have my lawn mowed. I enjoy doing it but it was too hard to find the 4 hours to do it on a consistent basis. I would LOVE to have a cleaning service, but have avoided that because I would have to clean before they came, so it defeats the concept.
Carole Cohen // June 28, 2008 at 10:40 pm
four hours to mow! omg. I guess I am lucky to have the typical city postage stamp lot. My electric extension cord reaches all of it. I can do it all in just under an hour (less if I don’t care if it’s done evenly). LOL yes I had a cleaning gal for a while and I always had to get the clutter out first. It might be worth it to us though, Elaine!
Elaine Reese // June 28, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Well the 4 hrs includes trimming the fence and landscape beds as well. I’ve got about 220 ft of fence around the back yard. It’s a pie-lot and I wanted a big back yard for my Dobies. Don’t need it so much for The Murph except that it gives the rabbits a chance to get away.