When prices and interest rates fall, new buyers are itching to take advantage of them and get into a new home. But what happens when buyers find there is little available to them? That's right: bidding wars and multiple offers.
When real estate is moving fast, it can pay off big to understand how to move quickly, and take advantage of opportunities that others miss out on. In real estate, the early bird doesn't get the worm, the early bird gets the home.
Making a big decision in a fast paced market doesn't have to be high pressure. If you go into your purchase prepared, you'll be in great shape to make that offer when the right home comes available. Here are the best techniques to make sure you're able to beat out everyone else.
1) Get a Savvy Realtor
In a quick market where you need to move fast, you also need an agent that can move quickly and give you all the tools and advice necessary to make an informed decision. Technology is huge when it comes to moving quickly. Gone are the days of running around town getting signatures; digital docusign technology is the way to go. A savvy agent will understand that you're looking to move fast and will treat you with a sense of urgency. They will typically be young, energetic and have strong tech background. With most multiple listing systems, your agent (if they know how) should be able to create saved searches that notify them of new listings as soon as they hit the market.
2) Know the Contract
When you've got to get a contract in, you can't waste a few hours having your agent explain the terms and conditions. Before you search, before you put an offer in, have your agent explain the entire contract from beginning to end, so you know exactly what it contains. After a thorough explanation, ask questions! Most real estate contracts are very standard, and only a few sections need to be changed per home. Trust your Realtor to expertly write the contract to your benefit and be ready. Those few hours could make the difference!
3) Pre-Approval and Proof of Funds
To back up a strong contract, make sure your lender has provided you with a pre-qualification letter, or even better, a pre-approval letter. This letter will let the seller know that you are financially stable enough to afford their home, which increases the likelihood of the deal closing. Proof of funds can come in the form of an earnest money check, showing the seller that you "earnestly" want to purchase their home. These two items are becoming more and more commonplace as standard attachments to any contract.
4) Be Time Flexible
A lot of real estate transactions get done over weekends, which is typically when people are able to be out home-shopping. But, what if a perfect listing comes available on a Tuesday? Are you going to wait three or four days to go see it? I like to tell my clients to be time flexible as much as possible. Heck, it could either save you a lot of money, or get you into the right home in at the right price. Set up showings for the late afternoon after work (4-6pm) and get into those houses if you can. Better yet, if you're comfortable doing so, tell your employer that you're in the middle of an epic house hunt and that you may need to dip out for an hour or so to see a home. In the grand scheme of things, how important is an hour of work when you're making probably the biggest investment of your life? Put it into perspective.
5) Put Your Best Foot Forward
You could move as fast as possible, but if you throw in a low-ball offer, you'll get laughed out of a contract. If the comparable properties in the neighborhood support the list price, come in at or near a full price offer. Sometimes, the time required to negotiate back and forth can open opportunities for other buyers to come in and submit a higher offer. A reasonable offer will get a reasonable response from the seller and will prevent animosity during the next phase. Make the decison whether you want to get a "killer deal" or whether you want to find the best house.
With these tools in mind, you'll be the one hearing "we accept". Good luck
North Georgia Journal
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68 Long Shadow Drive Great Lake Access Rustic Cabin Home! A must see property, this 3BR/3BA has open floor plans, wood floors, fireplace, and light fills the home from the array of windows. Tiled bath rooms, spetic permit is for a 2BR home (3BR in loft area). Large back porch & unfinished full basement with garage. Covered front porch. The landscaping and yard is a gardeners haven!! KOI pond surrounded by perennials and nature. Sit on the front porch and enjoy this private location and serentiy of the gardens. You can walk or drive to lake access point. Visit www.northgeorgiamtnhaven.com for more info!
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Art in the Blue Ridge Mountains! Come view some local artist in the North Georgia area!!
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5 Fast Paced Market Tips for Buyers
Written by Jared Reimer who is a real estate broker with Prudential Rocky Mountain Realtors in Northern Colorado. Real estate is his passion and he always wants to connect with like-minded and savvy real estate fans. For more information or to get in touch with Jared, please visit his website at www.ReimerRE.com
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July 1, 2012 EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BLUE RIDGE GEORGIA! This is a wonderful webpage to find events and places to see in Beautiful Blue Ridge Georgia http://theblueridgehighlander.com/georgias-blue-ridge/index.php !! Happy 4th of July from www.northgeorgiamtnhaven.com !!
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Great Article About Buying a Home Together from RealEstateExpress.comTips for buying a home, togetherTipsters often talk about buying strategies and talk about how a person can find or purchase a home, but how do people find a home together? Most home buying is a joint endeavor, and balancing both partner’s wants and needs (and often the wants and needs of other family members) can be challenging.
Start Talking
Rate the Options
Compare Notes
Sleep-Talk
Negotiate |
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2542 HUNTER ROAD List Price: $145,000 MLS # 220551
Breathtaking views in this well designed 2BR/3BA home overlooking Eagle Mtn in Hiawassee, GA! Cathedral ceilings, open floor plan, hardwoods, & tile floors, loft for grandkids, large master & full finished basement w/ full bathroom! Garage with workshop, Hurricane Roof, sit on deck/porch & watch Eagles Soar!! FULLY FURNISHED SELLER SAYS BRING ALL OFFERS! |
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June 19, 2012
Dixie Dock Dogs Is Proud
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June 15, 2012 Great Article From The New York Times on "WHY YOU SHOULD BE PREAPPRROVED" The Advantages of PreapprovalBy VICKIE ELMERWITH the housing market warming up in many areas, and multiple offers becoming more commonplace, buyers who want an advantage in the bidding process will need more than a mortgage prequalification. They will need a preapproval. The difference is significant. Prequalifying for a mortgage is based solely on what you disclose to the loan officer or broker about your earnings, credit score and total assets, including what is available for a down payment. “It’s verbal — it doesn’t really mean anything,” beyond providing some basic guidance on the range of prices you may be able to afford, said Kevin Chittenden, a vice president and regional sales manager in Paramus, N.J., for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. A preapproval, by contrast, requires borrowers to provide documentation of their income and their assets. The lender typically pulls your credit report and score, and you should gather together almost everything you will need for the actual mortgage underwriting: W-2 wage statements; 1099s, which show things like dividends and interest income; recent pay stubs; bank statements; and statements from Individual Retirement Accounts and 401(k)s and other assets that could show you have the resources to buy and maintain a home. At Wells Fargo, one of the country’s largest mortgage lenders, the first quick review provided by an underwriter constitutes an agreement to lend. “It’s a real commitment, a commitment to lend,” Mr. Chittenden said. Other lenders may treat preapprovals as more of an opinion on the person’s ability to borrow, not a guarantee to lend, said Jack Guttentag, who runs the Mortgage Professor Web site. Generally, borrowers need to have chosen a property and have it appraised before they can expect a firm commitment from a lender, he said. Still, a preapproval is more important now, with so many more homes receiving multiple bids, and because the housing market in many parts of the New York region has been getting stronger. “Preapproval carries more weight when you go to negotiate a deal,” said Ray Mignone, a certified financial planner in Little Neck, Queens. “It gives them bargaining power.” Borrowers should ask the lender to provide a good-faith estimate on closing costs and fees along with the preapproval. Many will provide this only once you have a home under contract, but some will give you an estimate of those costs, said Sofi Cordero, a senior housing counselor with La Casa De Don Pedro, which works on affordable housing and neighborhood development in Newark. The preapproval letter should include the amount a borrower is qualified to borrow, as well as the loan officer’s contact information. Some letters may have an estimated monthly payment. But details about the loan type and interest rate will not be included; those are filled in when you are ready to receive the loan, experts say. Timing is important. Buyers should aim for obtaining a preapproval letter from a lender within 30 to 60 days of the expected purchase date, Ms. Cordero said. That is because some letters expire in 90 days or so. (Wells Fargo’s, for instance, last for 120 days.) Your income and bank statements may also need to be updated if it has been a few months between preapproval and the signed contract for buying, Mr. Chittenden said. Wells Fargo charges would-be borrowers $18 for the credit report for a preapproval; the other costs of the mortgage start once you have a purchase agreement, he said. Other lenders may waive the preapproval and application fees because they want to sign you on as a customer, Ms. Cordero noted, adding that if you find another lender with better terms, you are under no obligation to use the lender that provided the preapproval.
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June 10, 2012: Want to learn about North Georgia & all the wonderful events & activities there are to do? Go to http://www.n-georgia.com/index.html which is "Discover Georgia's" website to learn about fun parks, wildlife, mountains, waterfalls, lakes, coast, islands, historic sites, gardens, festivals, trails, free things to do, etc. This site is full of fun recreational things to do in your local community!,.
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