offers: Is Your Offer Dressed for Success? - 03/06/19 08:18 PM
How to Dress Your Offer for Success
 
In our competitive sellers market, with multiple offers common, you need every advantage possible to improve your chances of being the successful offer.
 
Of course there can only be 1 buyer who will come out on top, and there are many factors that can impact who this is…on the buyer side, of course, but it might also depend on what the seller’s hot buttons are.
 
WHY DRESS AN OFFER FOR SUCCESS?
Dressing your offer for success is essential, to compete effectively.
 
Some offers we see these days are in pretty rough shape and you don’t want to be … (47 comments)

offers: A New Question for the Carlsbad Market – How Much More Should I Offer? - 04/05/16 09:27 AM
How Much More Should I Offer is the NEW Question in our Housing Market
 
The question used to be…how much less will the sellers take? Or some variation of that.
 
The new, and more common question, from buyers is about how much to offer – right below asking, asking, or over? Why is that?
 
The Carlsbad housing market, like many others, has been a sellers’ market for some time, with inventory hovering in the 2 – 3 month range overall. In the lower price points, say under $700,000, it’s about 3 weeks of inventory. And things have heated up this spring as demand has increased, … (14 comments)

offers: Preparing Buyers on How to Make Offers in a Multiple Bid Situation - 03/27/16 07:44 AM
Buyer Tips and Advice for Making an Offer
When There are Multiple Offers
 
In our market, and no doubt in many others, multiple offers are common, especially in the lower price ranges, and buyers need to be prepared to put the best foot forward in order to have a reasonable chance of being successful. The thought of competing with other buyers for a home, instead of just negotiating with the sellers, is a daunting proposition, as is the fear of losing the home to someone else. But it’s the reality and it needs to be addressed.
 
It’s important to discuss what a multiple … (24 comments)

offers: Crafting a Winning Offer - 04/04/15 10:29 AM
 Crafting a Winning Offer
 
In this busy market with more multiple offers, coming out on top becomes an even greater challenge for buyers.
Crafting a winning offer can be done but takes time and focus..and preparation.
While your agent will prepare the actual offer paperwork, your role and decisions are the keys to offer success.
 
Read about Staging Your Offer
 
Of course there is price. If the price is not right the offer won’t be a winner. This means understanding the local market conditions (see video at bottom) and their impact on your offer strategy, especially … (14 comments)

offers: How to Buy a Home – Video Tips for Home Buyers (After the Offer) - 02/15/15 12:43 AM
 How to Buy a Home
Video Tips Series for Carlsbad Home Buyers
~ What Happens After the Offer ~
 
Buying a Carlsbad home is a tough job, whether you are a first time home buyer or experienced.
 
The purpose of this “How to Buy a Home” tips and advice video series is to provide you with quick answers to some of the most important issues and decisions you face, and questions you will likely have, when buying a new home in Carlsbad.
 
See video below for an overview of the importance of home inspections
 
As you … (8 comments)

offers: Must Text Agent Code on Refrigerator Before Submitting Offer - 10/28/14 06:37 AM


Must Text Agent Code on Refrigerator Before Submitting Offer
 
It’s not unusual in our busy seller’s market with multiple offers on some properties that agents are requesting that NO BLIND OFFERS be made.
 
In other words, you, the buyer, have to view the property before the offer is made, since agents say it is not unusual for blind offers to back out once they view the home after the offer is accepted by the seller.
 
I have seen a few listings, often in the case of short sales and REOs, where the buyer and buyer … (9 comments)

offers: It’s Time to Remove Your Contingencies - 09/24/14 02:23 AM


It’s Time to Remove Your Contingencies
 
When making an offer here in Carlsbad, buyers normally do so subject to a number of contingencies that are spelled out in the standard Residential Purchase Agreement (we know it as the RPA). The contingencies typically include the buyer investigation (inspections), seller disclosures, HOA documents, appraisal, and loan approval (if applicable - read Your Loan Commitment Has Conditions You Must Meet), among others [note – contracts differ from state to state as does the offer process - we are speaking specifically of the California contract here].
 
The default contingency, or due … (7 comments)

offers: Staging Your Offer - 08/17/14 02:33 AM
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 … (104 comments)

offers: Can You Make a Contingency Offer in Your Relocation? - 08/06/14 11:51 PM
Can You Make a Contingency Offer in Your Relocation?
 
A common question relocating buyers ask me, if they are selling a home and want to buy a new one, is “Can we make a contingency offer?”
 
This is one of those “it depends” questions. (see VIDEO at bottom of page)
 
Many relocation buyers have to sell their current home in order to buy another; lots of homeowners cannot qualify to take on a second mortgage, or may not want to. If so, a challenge in your relocation is trying to buy a new home to move in while … (10 comments)

offers: I Broke 3 Hearts Today - 07/29/14 01:46 PM
I Broke 3 Hearts Today
 
It was another situation that none of us likes...the need to let buyers know they did NOT get the home they really wanted in a multiple bid situation, despite doing everything they could to make the best offer, including optimal terms and conditions.
 
Of course I prefer to deliver good news, but that is not always the case.
 
And we don't always have an explanation for why things did not turn out as we hoped, or expected. It's one thing when buyers are not making an optimal offer with strong terms and conditions, … (25 comments)

offers: Making an Offer in Today’s Sellers’ Market is Like a Blind Auction - 07/07/13 01:33 PM
Making an Offer in Today’s Sellers’ Market is Like a Blind Auction  
I like analogies – they help to clarify situations that are not always easily defined.
 
Anyone looking for a home these days in most US markets knows this – it’s a sellers’ market, and a dramatic shift from where things were less than a year ago.
 
Many local housing markets are characterized by low inventory, high buyer demand, and lots of competition on many homes in varying price ranges. But of course you should check with your REALTOR to get the real scoop on your local … (2 comments)

offers: How to Buy a Home in a Seller's Market in Carlsbad California - 02/28/13 11:01 PM
How to Buy a Home in a Seller's Market in Carlsbad California
 
No doubt you have some sense the Carlsbad real estate market has been getting more competitive for some time. It's true elsewhere as well.
 
So how do you compete as a buyer in the Carlsbad real estate market when prices are creeping up, there are multiple offers on many homes, and time on market for most properties is dropping?
 
Get Pre-Approved
 
We keep saying this but it amazes me how many buyers just don’t do it. If you don’t have a current pre-approval from a … (22 comments)

offers: Carlsbad Buyers, Are YOU Prepared to Make an Offer? - 01/27/13 09:28 AM
Carlsbad Buyers, Are YOU Prepared to Make an Offer?  
For many Carlsbad buyers, making an offer prompts a great deal of anxiety and emotion, especially considering the amount of money involved.
 
In our competitive market where home tours are more like a party, with multiple offers and plenty of cash buyers, you have to be prepared.
 
Carlsbad Buyers, Are YOU Prepared to Make an Offer?
 
If you aren’t prepared, you are wasting your time and your agent’s, plus you won’t get the house you want. Although if you aren’t serious none of this matters anyhow.
 
(8 comments)

offers: We’re Having a Short Sale Party - 01/26/13 09:50 AM
We’re Having a Short Sale Party  
I was out showing properties today in Oceanside and Vista, most of them short sales, and you would have thought homeowners were having a short sale party by the number of people in and outside the homes, and the cars lined up and down the streets.
 
Of course these are not happy situations for these homeowners, for a variety of reasons, but the volume of activity was like a neighborhood party.
 
All of these homes just hit the market late yesterday, and are priced well in the mid $300,000s, and buyers and … (37 comments)

offers: Sellers, Getting Prepared for an Offer - 01/25/13 08:23 AM
Sellers, Getting Prepared for an Offer  
Getting the offer on your home is a most welcome first step in what, hopefully, becomes a successful transaction. After all, that’s what you have been getting prepared for, and without it no progress toward your goal can be made.
 
So how do you really get prepared for that offer? It’s not just about sitting and waiting but being armed and ready to review it and respond accordingly.
 
The REALTOR you hired to sell your home plays a key role in your preparation for the offer and responding as appropriate.
 
(12 comments)

offers: Are You Relying on Zillow for Your Numbers? Well, Don’t! - 09/21/12 10:44 AM
Are You Relying on Zillow for Your Numbers? Well, Don’t!  
This is a caution for buyers and sellers who are consulting the Internet to gather information about pricing in order to make decisions about buying and selling.
 
Are you relying on Zillow for your numbers?
 
Well, don’t!
 
Notice I didn’t say to avoid Zillow, or not use it at all.
 
Just don’t rely on it solely for accurate information OR use it as your only source of data.
 
I shudder whenever I hear someone say “Zillow says my home is worth $xxx,” or “We’ve been … (14 comments)

offers: When You Snooze, You Lose! And Even if You Don’t Snooze, You May Still Lose! - 07/03/12 10:19 AM
When You Snooze, You Lose! And Even if You Don’t Snooze, You May Still Lose!  
The shift in the market in our area has taken many by surprise.
 
It brings to mind the popular axiom “when you snooze you lose.” Wait too long to look at a great, well-priced property, or to make a strong offer, and you’ve lost your opportunity.
 
And with dwindling, or at best stable, inventory, it’s not easy to walk away from a lost opportunity and feel comfort that there is lots to look at and more coming on the market…because there really isn’t. … (38 comments)

 
Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude (eXp Realty of California, Inc.)

Jeff Dowler, CRS

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Carlsbad, CA

More about me…

eXp Realty of California, Inc.

Address: 2647 Gateway Rd. #105-545, Carlsbad, CA, 92009

Office: (760) 840-1360

Mobile: (760) 840-1360


DISCLAIMER: I must disclaim liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from use of, or reliance on, any information contained in this blog, or for the accuracy of comments or opinions expressed by visitors to my blog. The information contained in the articles is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed, and the opinions expressed in these articles are mine, unless otherwise noted. None of the information in this blog is intended to be, or should be construed as, legal, financial, or tax advice. Please consult the appropriate qualified professionals if such advice is needed.


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