Here’s a question I’ve been getting a ton of lately: “How do you help buyers compete in this crazy market?”. Here’s how ↓ ↓ ↓
Most importantly, act quickly! Make sure you have an agent who is sending you homes the second they hit the market. It’s crucial to act quickly when you find the perfect house, while also taking the necessary steps to write up an offer that stands out amongst the rest. How?
1. A clean, no contingency offer IF you can! Typical contingencies include loan, appraisal, inspection, selling another home. If you are paying all cash and have nothing to sell, you are golden. However, that’s not the typical case for most people. I would NEVER advise to waive a loan/appraisal contingency if you are financing.
2. In this market, sometimes offering the asking price is not enough. If you find the PERFECT house and don’t want it to slip away, offer above asking, especially if you are financing.
3. Put down a strong earnest money deposit. In this market, seller’s do not want to see a 1-3% deposit when they are getting multiple offers. To make your offer stand out, put down at least 10%.
4. Ask about special mortgage programs. If you don’t have enough cash for a strong down payment, there are programs out there that can help.
5. Be flexible. Let the seller choose the closing date if you’re not in a rush.
6. If you have exhausted all other options, write a little “love letter” to the sellers. Express how much you love their home and how you can envision your family growing there.
Work With Ciara
Ciara Walsh is a professional Real estate Agent who specializes in Luxury Residential Properties in Westchester and Rockland, New York. She can also connect you with another fantastic agent in whatever market you are searching for through her network of top agents all over the world.