Staging Your Offer
Yes, it can be done. And probably should, in particular if there are multiple offers and you want your offer, like a home, to show its best.
Perhaps the subtitle should be "Dressed for Success!"
Let’s face it – you want your offer to look great! You’ve made an effort to get pre-approved, have looked at a number of homes, decided on one you really like, and you want it. Bad!
So of course you want your offer accepted, right?!
Granted, the bulk of the responsibility for making the offer look great rests with your buyer agent, but there are some ways you must contribute.
What are the key components of a well staged offer, and why is it important?
You may be competing with other offers, and you want yours to be appealing to the listing agent, but most importantly to the sellers.
Not unlike when someone sells a home. Get rid of the crap and make the house (and your offer) show the best that it can. Curb appeal is essential. No clutter, no deferred maintenance.
The Offer Amount
The amount you offer is a key component. If the amount is way off you won’t get the seller in the door (i.e., think of home that is not appealing or is over-priced), or the seller’s attitude will be one of disgruntlement. That’s an ugly offer! It probably won’t sell.
Terms and Conditions
Just as buyers may shy away from clutter, dirt, and garish colors, the terms and conditions in your offer should be reasonable, easy to understand and something that will not be a turn-off or really raise the eyebrows.
Even if the offer amount is good, the terms and conditions could make the seller shy away. As in a well-staged home, sometimes less is more.
How Does the Offer Look
The appearance of the offer could make a difference.
First of all, is it easy to read (sometimes copies or scans suck)? Is it complete, i.e., not just all the required paperwork (offer, pre-approval, proof of funds), but all the information in the offer including initials and signatures, and no required information left empty?
Did Your Agent Make an Appointment?
Like setting up a showing, your agent should let the listing agent know an offer was sent, and how, and to request they look for it? So often offers get sent with no forewarning from the buyer agent.
And making sure the offer was received…like confirming a showing appointment…is important. Sometimes things happen with technology, on either the sender’s or the receiver’s side.
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Staging an offer should just be good business practice, and representating the buyer appropriately. It doesn't happen often but I seen some offers that are pretty scary, for a number of reasons. Not unlike the occasional house on the market.
Do you stage YOUR offers?
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