At this point in the year it seems the best way to get an offer accepted is by finding a short sale that is priced well enough and making a solid offer that a seller will sign off on so the BANK can review it for acceptance.

My end of the year is looking like its going to depend on buyers getting their short sales approved.  I have one closing tomorrow with a buyer who is purchasing a short sale and at least 7 other offers that are waiting bank approval. 

The BANK OWNED homes have been selling so fast and so much over the asking price that the short sales have been the way to go for most buyers. The pressure is on for some of these to close by November 30th for the first time buyer tax credit, but then again I am feeling an extension coming on anyway.

To get a short sale offer accepted you want to write a clean offer NOT asking for repairs, and normally offering the asking price (assuming that is fair market price) with no more then 3% seller paid closing costs.  It also helps to have an approval from a trusted mortgage person.

Some short sale homes are getting multiple offers so you may have to go slightly above asking price in some instances.  Also, you will have to be patient because it might take 60-90 days for the bank to approve your offer and then another 30 days to close.

Chuck Carstensen - RE/MAX Associates Plus Inc - 612-290-3809