Are there guidelines to how much a buyer should offer?
You’ve found the home you want, now how much should you offer to pay for it? This can be a tricky puzzle, because there are no carved-in-stone guidelines. Some homes are overpriced, while others are a “real steal” at the full asking price. Here are some tips:
Buying a home directly from the owner will save on the cost of the home, right?
Wrong! The “for-sale-by-owner” sellers are doing their own marketing to save the commission a professional real estate agent would charge. So what is left for you to save? In fact, you might end up paying more if the property is overpriced. Beware of these costly pitfalls:
What happens after I present my offer?
When a buyer presents a purchase contract, it is usually the starting point of negotiations, so keep your mind sharp and your pen handy. The seller can accept, reject or modify the contract. Most often changes are negotiated and the sale goes forward. Here are some points to remember:
How can I be certain I’m getting what I think I’m paying for?
When you have found the home you are ready to buy, you might assume you will get everything you see, besides the family’s furnishings. That is not always the case. Even if the multiple listing profile lists certain items that are to convey with the property – lawn furniture, window shades, a special chandelier, washer and dryer – those items might not remain behind.
How can you be certain you are getting what you think you are paying for? Here are some tips:
As real estate professionals, we can help you understand every step of the home-buying process. Call or e-mail us, or click on “Ask Your Own Questions.”
How does a “drive-by appraisal” help me bargain better?
If the home you are interested in seems over-priced, there is a new tool to help you get a quick and inexpensive second opinion before you make an offer.
What are some inside tips to close a deal if the seller won’t budge on price?
Negotiating is an important part of many home sales. If you have found the home you want, but the price isn’t just right, both you and the seller may have to adjust your expectations to close the sale and get you in the door.
We can answer your specific contract negotiation questions. Call or e-mail us or click on “Ask Your Own Questions.”
Can a previously owned home compete effectively against newly constructed homes?
In some boom markets, the well-orchestrated efforts of new-home developments can make selling a “used” home seem impossible. But you can direct your own award-winning performance, and truly compete in the home-selling business.
A successful builder designs homes and decorates models with specific “profile families” in mind. Every detail of a model home – from the name of the style to the decor of each room – is calculated to emotionally grab families who resemble the profiled family. “This is us!” the prospective buyers may say to themselves as they tour the home.
Then the builder arms a professional sales staff with a variety of easy mortgage plans, making possible an on-the-spot home sale.
New Isn’t Everything
To compete with this professional plan, “used” home sellers need a professional plan of their own. Work with your agent to:
Remember, mature resale neighborhoods and properties have their own unique appeal. New isn’t everything. Set the stage, and get ready to yell, “Action!”
What do you suggest if I have to close a real estate deal from a distance?
If you suspect you might have to handle a real estate transaction while you’re traveling and are unavailable to sign important documents, take precautions before you leave town. Ask your attorney to draw up a Power of Attorney, giving your spouse full authority to buy or sell your home and to sign the necessary documents in your absence.