exceeded your goal. Decide upon the highest maximum amount that you can afford, and don’t ever offer more. If you pay more than your maximum amount, you have already lost. Depending on what kind of market you’re in, strategy and tactics will vary. In a buyer’s market (i.e., there are more houses on the market than buyers looking), you have more possibilities to succeed. You can make a less-than-reasonable offer, demand for some house improvements, a better closing date, and even closing fee payment by the owner. In a seller’s market (i.e., there are fewer houses available, with more people looking than selling), you have less leverage, as you’re not the only one in line. You’re most likely to succeed by offering a seller’s price. If they don’t get it from you, they will easily receive another offer soon from someone else. It’s a good idea to find the reasons that the owners are selling the house. Do they want to sell it because they’re moving for a new job? Are they moving soon (are they “motivated sellers”)? Has the property price been reduced due to an extensive time on the market? In both cases, it’s likely they’ll want to sell quickly. You can stand your ground if they have a counteroffer. If the house has been listed several times with a stable price, that’s a sign the homeowners are taking their time and might be waiting for the highest offer.
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