sellers market: Cash Buyers Assume They Can Pay Less? Never Assume - 04/18/14 11:29 PM
Cash Buyers Assume They Can Pay Less?  Never Assume Cash buyers have been making many condo sellers in Brighton and Brookline very happy these days.  In general, they have an upper hand because they can waive the financing contingnecy, and they save everyone a lot of work and stress around obtaining financing.
With a cash buyer, the transaction is perceived as easier and less risky.
In turn, cash buyers and their agents assume they can make lower offers since their terms are so much better.
This assumption is flawed. 
Although cash buyers offer an incentive to the seller with lower risk, offering … (0 comments)

sellers market: Do You Prefer an Offer at Asking or Over-Asking? - 03/03/14 10:45 PM
Do You Prefer an Offer at Asking or Over-Asking?
Sounds like a dumb question, I know. 
Picture this: You are a listing agent in a hot seller's market, with a listing you know has great demand.  You host a busy open house, and then the offers start to come in. 
How do you react when you receive them?
You are probably disappointed when an offer is well below asking.  You are probably happy when the offer is at, or around asking.  
What about over asking? Substantially over asking?
So, here you are with an offer, say, 15-20% over asking.  Most … (8 comments)

sellers market: Three Signs You Buyer Agent is Not So Good - 08/02/13 04:57 AM
Three Signs You Buyer Agent is Not So Good Stop your home search, start your buyer agent search!  If you are not getting results, find a better agent. In the seller’s market, working with a hard working competent buyers agent is necessary in order to buy a property at the right price. 
Is Your Real Estate Agent Asleep At The Wheel? Yet many buyers are failing at securing a home, and buyers are getting caught up in the stressful and intense market.
Here are three signs your buyers agent may not be your ideal advocate, and perhaps it’s time to switch.
… (51 comments)

sellers market: Buying a Home in a Seller's Market - 03/05/13 03:48 AM
Buying a home in a seller's market can be tricky.  What buyers must understand in order to succeed is that they will bear most of the transactional risk.  Agents and attorneys will try to negotiate your risk away, but in a market where sellers are getting top dollar with few contingencies and complications, an offer where the buyer takes no risk is met with skepticism...followed with a rejection.   This last article I wrote for my company's blog, William Raveis Real Estate, gives nine tips for home buyers in a sellers' market.  Preparing and planning both financially and emotionally to buy a home … (1 comments)