Tips To Making A Competitive Offer On A Home
Today’s housing market is definitely a seller’s market. A buyer has to stand out in order to successfully win a bidding war. Here are five tips to follow in order to set yourself above other buyers.
Listen to Your Real Estate Agent
Going at it alone is not a wise move when it comes to finding and purchasing a home. According to an article from Freddie Mac, purchasing a home can be very emotional and a professional can help an emotional buyer stay on track.
“Remember to let your homebuying team guide you on your journey, not your emotions. Their support and expertise will keep you from compromising on your must-haves and future financial stability.”
Understand Your Finances
Know what you can afford before you begin even searching for a new home. It is a must to have a complete understanding of your budget. Again, a professional can help you with this portion of the process. Find a mortgage lender who can get you pre-approved for a loan. Taking a pre-approval letter to a seller shows that you are serious and can follow through with your offer. Forty-four percent of homebuyers in the current market get pre-approved. In order to stand out, you must get pre-approved.
Be Ready to Move Quickly
The average property listed in today’s market is receiving more than three offers in the first few weeks of being listed. This data comes from the National Association of Realtors’ monthly publication called Realtors Confidence Index. This means as a buyer you need to be willing to make a move on the spot if you find the right home for your needs. Be prepared to submit an offer as quickly as possible.
Make A Fair Offer
Both the buyer and seller want to get the best deal possible. As a buyer, you do not want to overpay for a home, but you also do not want to give a low-ball offer. If a seller receives a low offer, they might question how serious you are about purchasing their property. Your Realtor will be able to guide you in the decision when it comes to your offer price. You will want to make your offer based on the market value of the home.
Be a Flexible Negotiator
A seller has the right to accept an offer, reject it or counter with an offer. In today’s market with such little inventory and so many buyers, you must stay flexible with things such as move-in dates, a higher offer price than the home is listed for, or minimal contingencies. When it comes to contingencies, conditions you set that the seller must meet for the purchase to be finalized, Freddie Mac warns to stay firm when it comes to a home inspection.
Even in today’s hot market, buyers can find and purchase the home of their dreams for the right price. Remember to always contact a Realtor who can help you along the way.