The weather is heating up, and so is the summer housing market.
With more buyers entering the market looking to find a new home during the summer months, competition can be fierce. Every homebuyer’s nightmare is finding their dream home, only to lose it in a multiple-offer scenario that drives the asking price up beyond your reach. How can you make your offer stand out in an aggressive housing market? Here are a few ways to get an edge.
Use an Experienced Agent
Think of your real estate agent as the MVP of your home buying team. The right agent will not only make your home search easier, but they can also help improve your chances when making an offer. An experienced agent will work with you to craft a great offer, and will be responsive and professional in discussions will the seller. Having a professional on your team who is knowledgeable about the local market could be the difference between your offer being accepted or rejected.
Get Pre-APPROVED
A lot of homebuyers assume that pre-qualification and pre-approval for a mortgage are the same thing. In fact, they are quite different, and which one you get can make a huge difference in the eyes of the seller. A pre-qualification is only an estimate of what you qualify for based on the income, assets, and debt information you provide. It does not include an analysis of your credit report or verification of the financial information you provide. On the other hand, getting pre-approved means your loan officer documents and verifies your financial information and reviews your credit report. After evaluation, they can issue a specific loan amount you are approved for.
A seller in a multiple-offer scenario will immediately see through a pre-qualification, and worry that if they accept your offer, the deal might fall through if you are unable to secure your home financing. A pre-approval makes your offer stronger and puts you in an optimal negotiating position.
Set Realistic Expectations
Setting realistic expectations can help reduce your stress during the home buying process. Making an offer on a home can be nerve-wracking, so it is a good idea to go into negotiations already knowing your bottom line. Make a list of what you are willing to compromise on – whether it’s sale price, contingencies, or closing costs – before you make your initial offer. Don’t let a high-stress multiple-offer situation make you commit to something that does not make financial sense for you and your family. It can be disheartening if your offer is not accepted. If this happens, just keep your head up, and continue your home search armed with your pre-approval from your lender, and the expertise of your real estate agent.
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