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Practical Home Buying Tactics in Columbus, GA

By Carey Scott

Real Estate Agent with Prestige Property Brokers

October 17, 2013 10:35 PM

When a Columbus, GA home buyer first finds that single-family homes and condominiums have been getting pricier, it shouldn't be a surprise. Nationally, the median sales price is still Columbus, GA Home for Sale well below the record $230,400 reached at the height of the housing boom but that gap is shrinking.

If you're a future home buyer in the Columbus, GA area, you can take steps to improve the situation. One way is to increase your negotiating leverage - to turn yourself into a highly desirable buyer from the seller's point of view.

Show You're Financially Attractive: Maximize your negotiating power by getting yourself pre-approved for a mortgage loan. This is a step beyond merely becoming pre-qualified. To become pre-approved, a mortgage lender pulls your credit, studies your income, debt and employment history, and determines the size of the mortgage loan you can handle. A seller not only prefers working with a Columbus, GA home buyer whose agent can present a pre-approval letter but the vast majority of sellers required it to be included with a contract offer.

Know the Columbus, GA area Market: You’ll have a better chance of convincing a sellers to lower the asking price if you are armed with the sales prices that similar homes in the market are fetching. If a seller is asking $20,000 more than is typical, your agent will be able to present this fact in negotiations.

Prepare to Offer Something: A seller is usually more willing to come down in price when he sees a concession or two from you. A home buyer can, for instance, agree to a later or earlier closing date to accommodate the seller. You might also agree to overlook some small needed repairs (nothing major of course).

Be Realistic: Don’t ask for too much. Asking sellers to lop off 30% is more likely to scuttle negotiations than lower the price. Some sellers will not negotiate if they feel they have been insulted or feel like someone is trying to take advantage of them.

A home buyer in Columbus, GA will still find some great deals out there. With the short Fall selling season upon us, if you’re considering buying, call me today to get the search going!

Click Columbus, GA Homes for Sale to begin your search for your new home!

If you are preparing to buy or sell a home in the Columbus, GA area, an important first step will be to consult an experienced agent like myself. You can call me at 706-442-1084 or click here! It can make all the difference!