How to Be the Most Attractive Home Buyer

Multiple offers are the new normal. How can you stand out as the most attractive home buyer?

1. Buyers need to get their loan pre-approved and their down payment ready before house hunting.

2. Be ready to compete and negotiate. The longer the negotiations, the bigger the chance a buyer could lose out to someone else who made a better offer.

3. Be reasonable, not difficult. If a buyer is too difficult, the seller may go with another offer.

4. Don't pay more for a house than it's worth, or skip things like home inspections.

5. Check your credit for accuracy, and avoid big purchases while house hunting.

6. Don't wait to make an offer on a house you love, time is of the essence.

7. The more cash a buyer has, the more appealing they are as a buyer. Putting down 20 percent or more gives sellers comfort that they'll qualify for a mortgage.