Buying in a Seller's Paradise

by Wendy Wiegand 12/02/2019

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Photo by Mohamed Hassan via Pixabay

It's easy to believe you don't have much leverage if you're getting ready to buy in a seller's market. Unfortunately, that sense of frustration can result in desperation, which can ultimately lead to overpaying on a home. Before you accept your fate, consider how you may have more power than you think. 

Start Strong

Being an early bird in a seller's market is a must, and this is especially true if you run up against a unique situation. For example, let's say a homeowner gets a particularly lucrative job offer. The only catch is that they need to move overseas in just a few weeks. In this case, a seller is going to be motivated by more than just the best offer. They want to see a buyer who can be flexible with their move-in date. If you can speed up the process, you can get the leverage in a seller's market. 

Prove Your Reliability

The seller will always look for someone with extremely reliable funding sources because no one wants to deal with the hassle of a lender pulling out at the last minute. When you're negotiating, it doesn't hurt to point out that you're a sure bet in more ways than one. This can encourage a seller to accept less than what they would have received if they'd accepted an offer from someone with a weaker financial history. 

Anticipate the Worst

While you do have some degree of control here, you should also be ready for equally prepared competition. Study the terms of the seller to ensure that your offer is made on time and your conditions are stated upfront. Make sure all your supplemental paperwork is airtight and ready to be processed. You can also consider limiting the number of contingencies you have. In a buyer's market, you can ask for the seller to update the plumbing or dismantle the shed. But in a seller's market, you might want to hold back some of your requests. 

Watch Your Back

Buyers may need to be more accommodating to sellers if they want to secure a home in a certain neighborhood, but there needs to be boundaries on bending too far backward. There are still money pits out there, even in prime seller's markets. Unsafe structures, dangerous grounds, and changing zoning laws can all be overlooked by an eager buyer in the heat of the moment. That's why it's so important to strike the right balance. 

When it comes to negotiating in any market, a real estate agent is usually the best place to start to hone in on the right tactics. They make it easier to spot the properties and sellers who deserve the effort. 

About the Author
Author

Wendy Wiegand

As a premier real estate agent in Carlsbad, I’m here to provide you with all the resources and information you need to buy or sell real estate. I work with buyers and sellers in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, San Marcos, Vista and the surrounding areas and I’ve had extensive training in the latest real estate marketing strategies.  I’m confident that I can offer you knowledge and tools most other agents can’t.

I believe in service, both to my clients and our community. When working with clients, you can be assured I am focused on providing the most comprehensive and dedicated effort so that you can achieve the best results possible when buying or selling real estate. I am also deeply involved in serving our community, as you and I all call it home. I have been a member of Rotary since 2003, have been an active member of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce since 2006, and serve on the board of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation. Perhaps my even deeper service to my clients and our community is Wiegand Realty’s participation in Business for a Cause.

Contact me so I can keep you updated on the latest real estate activities in our community and answer any questions you may have.

Thanks and I look forward to assisting in all of your real estate needs! 

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