Making an offer
2008-07-19
The real estate agent cannot tell you how much to offer, but he or she can give you information about the selling prices of similar homes in the area.
A Matter of Timing
Buying real estate can sometimes involve tricky timing. For example, you may have found the perfect house and are thinking about making an offer, but are feeling pressured to make a decision just when you want time to consider the matter. The agent tells you that another party is thinking about making an offer, so you shouldn't hesitate if you really want the house. What should you do? Trust your agent!
If the house is a new listing, or if your offer is very low, they may decide to hold out for something better. Sellers frequently build a little negotiating room into their asking price. Prices that are not negotiable at the beginning of a listing period may become flexible as time goes on. If you want to test the sellers' flexibility, make them an offer. The agent will present your offer to the sellers. They have three choices--they can accept, reject, or counter your offer.
It is natural to feel some pressure from even the most easy-going real estate agent--and some uncertainty about making an offer. If you really like a house, there is always the possibility that someone else will share your enthusiasm for it. Whether your local market is active or sluggish, it is sensible to assume that another offer is likely to come in. Perhaps you can afford to "sleep on it", but moving as quickly as possible will minimize the possibility that the house will go to another buyer.
It is natural to feel some pressure from even the most easy-going real estate agent--and some uncertainty about making an offer. If you really like a house, there is always the possibility that someone else will share your enthusiasm for it. Whether your local market is active or sluggish, it is sensible to assume that another offer is likely to come in. Perhaps you can afford to "sleep on it", but moving as quickly as possible will minimize the possibility that the house will go to another buyer.
A Tough Sale
Here is a situation that many buyers have experienced. After searching for weeks, you found the perfect home and you made a very low offer. The sellers responded with a counter-offer which was several thousand dollars lower than their asking price. You came back with a slightly higher bid, and they came down some more. After many days of back and forth, you finally reached a meeting of the minds, and you are very pleased with the results.
If you have driven a hard bargain in purchasing a house, be sensitive to the seller's feelings as the transaction proceeds. They may be suffering from the impact of a rough negotiation. Try to minimize any additional requests you might make of the sellers. As you move toward your closing date, keep in mind that the sellers may not share your elation. If you are considerate and avoid making excessive demands, you can help everyone walk away from the transaction feeling satisfied with the outcome.
If you have driven a hard bargain in purchasing a house, be sensitive to the seller's feelings as the transaction proceeds. They may be suffering from the impact of a rough negotiation. Try to minimize any additional requests you might make of the sellers. As you move toward your closing date, keep in mind that the sellers may not share your elation. If you are considerate and avoid making excessive demands, you can help everyone walk away from the transaction feeling satisfied with the outcome.
Bargaining
You found a house that seems perfect and you really love it. The chemistry is there, and the price is right. If you are like many buyers, you start off by asking the real estate agent if the sellers will take less than they are asking.
A real estate agent doesn't know what the sellers' bottom price is. The sellers often don't know themselves until they get an offer. In many cases, the price is negotiable, but the only way to test it is to make the sellers a written offer to accept or counter.
Attractive, well-priced homes usually sell quickly in any market. If you get involved in offers and counter offers, another buyer could come in with a better offer while you are negotiating back and forth. If you cannot qualify for financing at the asking price and you are willing to risk losing the house, you can make a lower offer. But if it will break your heart to lose a home you really love and you can afford it, it may be better to avoid bargaining and simply pay the asking price.
A real estate agent doesn't know what the sellers' bottom price is. The sellers often don't know themselves until they get an offer. In many cases, the price is negotiable, but the only way to test it is to make the sellers a written offer to accept or counter.
Attractive, well-priced homes usually sell quickly in any market. If you get involved in offers and counter offers, another buyer could come in with a better offer while you are negotiating back and forth. If you cannot qualify for financing at the asking price and you are willing to risk losing the house, you can make a lower offer. But if it will break your heart to lose a home you really love and you can afford it, it may be better to avoid bargaining and simply pay the asking price.
Buyer’s Remorse
If you are like most buyers who sign a purchase agreement on a new home, you will almost certainly feel a wave of overwhelming anxiety. You may begin to question your judgment -- did I pay too much? Is it the right home? Can I really afford the mortgage payments? How can I get out of it? This response--referred to as "Buyer's Remorse"--is completely normal!
Call your friends who have owned a home for a few years if you experience an attack of buyer's remorse. Are they bothered by rapidly escalating home prices? Probably not, because that means the value of their home is increasing. Did they feel anxious when they first signed the agreement? They may tell you that they felt just as anxious as you are feeling, but now are really glad that they went through with the purchase. Have they made improvements to the property that heightened their enjoyment of the home? They will probably say they much prefer the creative freedom of being a homeowner compared with having to ask the landlord's permission to put in a garden or paint the living room.
When you experience a buyer's panic attack, be strong -- you have a great deal to gain!
Call your friends who have owned a home for a few years if you experience an attack of buyer's remorse. Are they bothered by rapidly escalating home prices? Probably not, because that means the value of their home is increasing. Did they feel anxious when they first signed the agreement? They may tell you that they felt just as anxious as you are feeling, but now are really glad that they went through with the purchase. Have they made improvements to the property that heightened their enjoyment of the home? They will probably say they much prefer the creative freedom of being a homeowner compared with having to ask the landlord's permission to put in a garden or paint the living room.
When you experience a buyer's panic attack, be strong -- you have a great deal to gain!
Buying Fast
Many buyers who find a house that looks perfect after house-hunting for only a couple of weekends hesitate to make an immediate commitment. They want to buy the house but are reluctant to make an offer without having looked at more properties.
Whether you are in a buyer's or seller's market, the best homes usually get snapped up quickly. When you find a great home that is well-priced, you may not have much time to think it over. Although it is difficult to make such an enormous purchasing decision without at least "sleeping on it," you could lose the house to another buyer if you hesitate. On the other hand, if you go rushing forward, you may spend some time nursing a case of "Buyer's Remorse."
Working with a professional real estate agent can make your decision much easier. Your agent can provide information about recent sales of homes in the area and answer any questions you may have. Keep in mind that a real estate agent's job is to find you a property that you want to buy, not to show you a lot of houses that won't interest you!
Whether you are in a buyer's or seller's market, the best homes usually get snapped up quickly. When you find a great home that is well-priced, you may not have much time to think it over. Although it is difficult to make such an enormous purchasing decision without at least "sleeping on it," you could lose the house to another buyer if you hesitate. On the other hand, if you go rushing forward, you may spend some time nursing a case of "Buyer's Remorse."
Working with a professional real estate agent can make your decision much easier. Your agent can provide information about recent sales of homes in the area and answer any questions you may have. Keep in mind that a real estate agent's job is to find you a property that you want to buy, not to show you a lot of houses that won't interest you!
Clean Offers
You have found a house that makes your heart skip a beat--it is in the right location and has all the amenities you want. The price is the only thing that is keeping you from making an offer, because you feel that it is more than you can afford. How can you maximize the possibility that the owners will accept an offer that is much lower than their asking price?
The first thing you should do is to make the offer as "clean" as possible by not asking for special contingencies. Avoid making demands on the sellers for minor repairs, such as cutting down the dead tree in the back yard or leaving custom drapes. Be as flexible as possible about scheduling the move-in date to accommodate the seller's plans. Finally, you can offer a larger-than-usual deposit to persuade the sellers that you are a serious buyer and to make it harder for them to "just say no". Each situation is different, but the "cleaner" the offer, the more likely the sellers are to accept it.
The first thing you should do is to make the offer as "clean" as possible by not asking for special contingencies. Avoid making demands on the sellers for minor repairs, such as cutting down the dead tree in the back yard or leaving custom drapes. Be as flexible as possible about scheduling the move-in date to accommodate the seller's plans. Finally, you can offer a larger-than-usual deposit to persuade the sellers that you are a serious buyer and to make it harder for them to "just say no". Each situation is different, but the "cleaner" the offer, the more likely the sellers are to accept it.
Creative Offers
Putting together an offer on a home is easy if the buyer has a lot of money, a terrific job and impeccable credit. Many buyers are not in that precise situation, however. And while sellers like to get their asking price, good listing agents prepare them for the possibility of receiving offers that involve some compromises.
Successful real estate agents know how to put together creative offers and do whatever it takes to make a transaction work. If a buyer is low on cash, the agent may structure an offer that shifts closing costs to the seller, minimizing the amount of cash that the buyer needs to close. A variation of a lease purchase arrangement might be effective if a buyer has recently changed jobs or is self-employed. Owner-financing for part of the loan can make a difference in some cases. If your agent brings you a complex offer designed to get a buyer into your home, don't say "no" until you understand the offer.
Successful real estate agents know how to put together creative offers and do whatever it takes to make a transaction work. If a buyer is low on cash, the agent may structure an offer that shifts closing costs to the seller, minimizing the amount of cash that the buyer needs to close. A variation of a lease purchase arrangement might be effective if a buyer has recently changed jobs or is self-employed. Owner-financing for part of the loan can make a difference in some cases. If your agent brings you a complex offer designed to get a buyer into your home, don't say "no" until you understand the offer.
Do not Panic
Many homebuyers have experienced the alternating waves of excitement and regret that can occur when the real estate agent presents your offer to the sellers and they accept it. At first you will probably feel ecstatic--unless you wake up the next morning, covered with a rash and asking yourself, "What on earth have I just done?"
Occasionally agents get a morning-after call from buyers who will do anything to get out of the commitment they just made. If you are purchasing a home and find yourself in this condition, there are two important things to remember. First, your rash accompanies a very common condition called "Buyers' Remorse". Almost everyone who buys a house experiences this feeling, with varying degrees of intensity, sometime between making the initial offer and finalizing the sale.
Second, you should know that the anguish of buyer's remorse is almost always temporary. If you experience a sudden panic attack over your home purchase, call your real estate agent immediately. Postpone making any radical decision about backing out of the contract until you have considered things carefully and rationally with your agent.
Occasionally agents get a morning-after call from buyers who will do anything to get out of the commitment they just made. If you are purchasing a home and find yourself in this condition, there are two important things to remember. First, your rash accompanies a very common condition called "Buyers' Remorse". Almost everyone who buys a house experiences this feeling, with varying degrees of intensity, sometime between making the initial offer and finalizing the sale.
Second, you should know that the anguish of buyer's remorse is almost always temporary. If you experience a sudden panic attack over your home purchase, call your real estate agent immediately. Postpone making any radical decision about backing out of the contract until you have considered things carefully and rationally with your agent.
Dream versus Reality
When you decide to buy a home, you may feel resistance to fulfilling the many practical requirements that are necessary to turn your dream into a reality. An important part of a professional real estate agent's job is to help you overcome such resistance.
You will need to handle a multitude of details when purchasing a property. There are numerous deadlines that require a timely response. Home purchases come with a lot of paperwork, such as the financial statement and purchase agreement. Negotiations with the seller are a standard part of the process. All of these practical "realities" can seem overwhelming.
You may experience a startling range of emotions at each step of the way, from mild anxiety to full-blown "buyer's remorse". It helps to remember that everyone who has purchased a home has probably experienced similar feelings. Just take a deep breath and trust your real estate agent, who is trained to help you deal with the pressures of the home-buying process
You may experience a startling range of emotions at each step of the way, from mild anxiety to full-blown "buyer's remorse". It helps to remember that everyone who has purchased a home has probably experienced similar feelings. Just take a deep breath and trust your real estate agent, who is trained to help you deal with the pressures of the home-buying process
Deposits
After many months of searching, you have found your ideal house. You are a little older and a little wiser now, so you want to give the impression that you are serious without appearing to be too eager. What should you do? In the marketplace, "money talks."
There is no absolute rule about how much deposit you should put down--but it is a tool to make your point with the seller. You don't want to make a deposit that is too large in case there is a problem getting your money back, but if your offer is substantially below the asking price, a larger deposit might influence the seller.
There is no absolute rule about how much deposit you should put down--but it is a tool to make your point with the seller. You don't want to make a deposit that is too large in case there is a problem getting your money back, but if your offer is substantially below the asking price, a larger deposit might influence the seller.
How Much To Offer
When you make an offer on a house, your biggest decision is how much to offer. Although you don't want to pay more than you have to, it is sometimes hard to predict how much “enough” for the seller is.
Some sellers price their homes at their bottom line and may be unwilling to negotiate, unless the house has been on the market for a long time. Others build in a little room for negotiation. Some sellers are more motivated than others to get their homes sold. Whatever your situation, it is hard to know what sellers will do until they are presented with an offer.
If your offer is very low, your finances might look shaky, and asking the sellers to pick up closing costs might just result in a refusal of your offer. If your original proposal is unacceptable, the seller will usually make a counter offer. While sellers like to get their asking prices, good listing agents prepare them for the possibility of receiving offers that involve some compromises.
Some sellers price their homes at their bottom line and may be unwilling to negotiate, unless the house has been on the market for a long time. Others build in a little room for negotiation. Some sellers are more motivated than others to get their homes sold. Whatever your situation, it is hard to know what sellers will do until they are presented with an offer.
If your offer is very low, your finances might look shaky, and asking the sellers to pick up closing costs might just result in a refusal of your offer. If your original proposal is unacceptable, the seller will usually make a counter offer. While sellers like to get their asking prices, good listing agents prepare them for the possibility of receiving offers that involve some compromises.
Low Offers
You have found the perfect house with everything you wanted--and then some--but the price is more than you want to pay. You decide to go for it anyway, and ask the agent to submit what real estate agents call a "low” offer.
Low offers sometimes work. If the market is fluctuating and the sellers are anxious, they may just accept it. They may be willing to negotiate if they have listed the house at a higher price than is reasonable. Most sellers are open to offers, but they won't give their house away, especially if the asking price is in line with recent sales of similar homes.
What do you have to lose by making a low offer? If the seller yells and screams, the agent will be the focus of his wrath -- and we don't take it personally. If you really want the house, however, a very low initial offer may irritate the seller to the point that he won't consider a better offer, if you decide to submit one. Design your strategy on the basis of how badly you want the house.
Low offers sometimes work. If the market is fluctuating and the sellers are anxious, they may just accept it. They may be willing to negotiate if they have listed the house at a higher price than is reasonable. Most sellers are open to offers, but they won't give their house away, especially if the asking price is in line with recent sales of similar homes.
What do you have to lose by making a low offer? If the seller yells and screams, the agent will be the focus of his wrath -- and we don't take it personally. If you really want the house, however, a very low initial offer may irritate the seller to the point that he won't consider a better offer, if you decide to submit one. Design your strategy on the basis of how badly you want the house.
Making Your Offer
When you find the right home, what can you do to maximize your chances of actually getting it? The first step you should take is to make a prompt offer.
Whether you are in a buyers' or sellers' market, taking too much time to initiate an offer can cost you money, especially if you are planning to offer less than the asking price or will be asking for special terms. If your offer is the only one on the table, the sellers will consider it, and if they don't accept it, they may make a good counter offer. While you are "sleeping on it", however, you risk the possibility of another offer coming in. If another buyer appears on the scene, you lose an important advantage while you and the sellers are going back and forth with offers and counter offers. A buyer who really wants that special house will make the best possible offer --as quickly as possible.
Whether you are in a buyers' or sellers' market, taking too much time to initiate an offer can cost you money, especially if you are planning to offer less than the asking price or will be asking for special terms. If your offer is the only one on the table, the sellers will consider it, and if they don't accept it, they may make a good counter offer. While you are "sleeping on it", however, you risk the possibility of another offer coming in. If another buyer appears on the scene, you lose an important advantage while you and the sellers are going back and forth with offers and counter offers. A buyer who really wants that special house will make the best possible offer --as quickly as possible.
Negotiations
If you are the buyer in a home sale transaction, you should be prepared to submit an offer to the seller. An offer is not simply the price -- there are more components involved.
The real estate agent will act as the conveyor of information. There are a few things to look out for in such negotiations: 1) include a finance contingency, even if you have loan pre-approval, 2) insist on an engineer's, termite and radon inspection contingencies, 3) itemize the personal property you want included, such as chandeliers or drapes, and 4) submit the closing date you prefer.
Buyers should be prepared to make their best offer first, but if that offer is not acceptable to the seller, they should expect to go through a round of counter-offers.
The real estate agent will act as the conveyor of information. There are a few things to look out for in such negotiations: 1) include a finance contingency, even if you have loan pre-approval, 2) insist on an engineer's, termite and radon inspection contingencies, 3) itemize the personal property you want included, such as chandeliers or drapes, and 4) submit the closing date you prefer.
Buyers should be prepared to make their best offer first, but if that offer is not acceptable to the seller, they should expect to go through a round of counter-offers.
What Can Go Wrong
Real estate transactions are very complex, and difficulties can arise. One common form of interference can come in the innocent guise of helpful advice from family and friends
When you buy your first home, you want the best advice you can get. You want to show the house to friends and relatives before you commit. They will probably tell you about all of the things that went wrong during their own transactions so you can avoid the same mistakes. These people all have good intentions, but too much advice can put you into a state of high anxiety.
If you are buying your home with the help of a professional real estate agent, your agent will know how to make sure that any minor upsets do not turn into major problems. A real estate agent's expertise is based on formal training and experience in many real estate transactions. Their reputation is on the line with each sale, so they are highly motivated to make your purchase or sale go as smoothly as possible. When you are dealing with a professional real estate agent, you can worry about what might go wrong if you wish, but you don't have to!
If you are buying your home with the help of a professional real estate agent, your agent will know how to make sure that any minor upsets do not turn into major problems. A real estate agent's expertise is based on formal training and experience in many real estate transactions. Their reputation is on the line with each sale, so they are highly motivated to make your purchase or sale go as smoothly as possible. When you are dealing with a professional real estate agent, you can worry about what might go wrong if you wish, but you don't have to!