Helped my Seller negotiate a deal for his house yesterday. We had multiple offers. I love it when that happens. The Seller ended up accepting the LOWEST offer. After discussing the three offers, that were presented, we decided that the one with a 20% down payment and a pre-approval letter direct from a National lender, had the best chance of closing. The other two offers, even though about $5,000 higher, were both with 100% financing, and were first time home buyers.
This just shows that price is not always the deciding factor for a Seller. It can be the probability of the transaction closing, as in this case. I've also had Sellers take deals because they met and liked the Buyers. One Seller practically gave his house away because he met the Buyers. The Buyers were a young married couple expecting a baby and had never owned a house before. The Sellers were elderly, didn't need the money, and sold them the house for about $30,000 less than market. And they had other offers to consider! Didn't matter, they wanted this young couple to have their house.
It can be something as simple as an offer written professionally versus a sloppy offer with incomplete information. You just don't know what will motivate the Seller.
It's just another reason why, as Realtors, we need to make sure our offers are presented in a professional manner. Complete the offer properly. Attach a personal letter from the Buyers, if they really love the house, let the Sellers know that. Sellers can be very attached to their homes. Especially if they are older and have raised their family in it. Your Buyer's sincere personal comments in a letter, with their offer, could save them thousands, or beat out another offer.
So put some thought into your Buyer's purchase offer. Don't just slap it together and think the Seller will accept it because the price is right. Remember........ It's not always about the price.
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