7 WAYS TO GET YOUR OFFER ACCEPTED IN A HOT MARKET

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OFFER STAND OUT!

Pre-approval is everything, find the RIGHT lender…The home search isn’t a M-F 9-5 activity, is your lender available when you need them? Get pre-approved for financing.  If your lender didn’t review all your documentation BEFORE they wrote the lender letter, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment!  Give the lender the whole picture, the truth will come out and you can deal with any “worms” before they surface and before you find the “PERFECT HOME”! 

The seller is concerned about getting their home sold.  They need to have faith in both your ability to qualify and the lenders ability to get you to closing ON TIME.  A concise, complete, correct lender letter will help to convey your ability to get to closing.  Don’t be fooled by the crazy low rates some banks quote in their advertising.  By choosing an internet, out of state lender, big bank, or based on cost alone, you risk losing the home you’re trying to purchase if they can’t close your loan on time.

Find an expert Find a real estate agent who knows the area you are interested in, and has a pulse on the market. They should know other local agents who are getting listings ready for sale, possibly helping you to be the first in. They should already have marketing plans in place and be willing to step outside the box to find what you are looking for.

Make your best offer This is not a market where making a low ball offer on the first day the home is listed will work.  Many sellers won’t even entertain your offer if it is not in line with their asking price and local comparable homes that have sold (not listed).  You do have more leeway if a home has been on the market for a while. Be sure your agent knows the local market, knows the comparable sales, knows your limit and put your best foot forward!

Show the seller you have the means to purchase  Write a check for the most earnest money you can afford, all things being equal, money talks.  If a seller has a $10,000 deposit check in hand versus a $500 deposit, they will assume that you are in a better financial position and will qualify more easily for financing. Consider submitting your bank statement with the bid so the seller sees you have cash and are ready to proceed (make a copy and black out all account number address and social security numbers).

Drop the contingencies  Don't be the difficult buyer.  If you have a home to sell that isn’t even on the market and expect a seller to wait for you to sell, you are most likely out of luck!  Make the strongest offer possible, then negotiate the details.  If you have a home to sell, can you qualify for both homes if necessary until your property sells?  Do you have confidence in your agent’s ability to sell your current home?  Does it make sense to sell your home first, store the contents until you find the RIGHT home?

Determine the seller’s needs  Kids in school?  Offer to close at the end of the school year or offering a rent back can make your offer even more appealing.  Need to move quickly?  Be sure you have a lender who can get your loan to closing in 30 days or less.

Write a personal letter to be included with the offer Selling a home can be a very emotional experience.  Sellers want to know that you will take care of the house they have called home for a time.  Put your heart into it, tell them why you want to buy the home, your goals, your dream, what you love about the home, how grateful you would be if they chose your offer.  Sometimes it’s not always about the money!

Know what you are looking for and be ready to act.  The home you see today and want to think about, someone else saw yesterday and is making an offer. 

Real estate sometimes can feel like a game, be sure that you understand the rules, the risks and the rewards.  Know the players.  Don’t settle for the wrong home just because you are afraid to “lose” again!  If your offer isn’t accepted, know that in the big picture there is a reason.  Brush yourself off and move on, move forward and find YOUR NEW HOME!!

If you would like a referral to a professional, qualified Realtor anywhere in Maryland, please call me at 410-960-2061.

7 Ways To Get Your Offer Accepted In  A HOT Market!