Thinking of Making an Offer? 4 Tips for Success

So you’ve been searching for that perfect house to call a ‘home,’ and you finally found one! The price is right, and in such a competitive market that you want to make sure you make a good offer so that you can guarantee your dream of making this house yours comes true!

Freddie Mac covered “4 Tips for Making an Offer” in their latest Executive Perspective. Here are the 4 Tips they covered along with some additional information for your consideration:

1. Understand How Much You Can Afford

“While it’s not nearly as fun as house hunting, fully understanding your finances is critical in making an offer.”

This ‘tip’ or ‘step’ really should take place before you start your home search process.

As we’ve mentioned before, getting pre-approved is one of many steps that will show home sellers that you are serious about buying, and will allow you to make your offer with the confidence of knowing that you have already been approved for a mortgage for that amount. You will also need to know if you are prepared to make any repairs that may need to be made to the house (ex: new roof, new furnace).

2. Act Fast

“Even though there are fewer investors, the inventory of homes for sale is also low and competition for housing continues to heat up in many parts of the country.”

According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report, the inventory of homes for sale is currently at a 3.6-month supply; This is well below the 6-month supply that is needed for a ‘normal’ market. Buyer demand has continued to outpace the supply of homes for sale, causing buyers to compete with each other for their dream homes.

Make sure that as soon as you decide that you want to make an offer, you work with your agent to present it as soon as possible.

3. Make a Solid Offer

Freddie Mac offers this advice to help make your offer the strongest it can be:

“Your strongest offer will be comparable with other sales and listings in the neighborhood. A licensed real estate agent active in the neighborhoods you are considering will be instrumental in helping you put in a solid offer based on their experience and other key considerations such as recent sales of similar homes, the condition of the house and what you can afford.”

Consider ways of making your offer stand out! Many buyers write a personal letter to the seller letting them know how much they would love to be the new homeowners. Your agent will be able to help you figure out if there are any other ways your offer could stand out above the rest.

4. Be Prepared to Negotiate

“It’s likely that you’ll get at least one counteroffer from the sellers so be prepared. The two things most likely to be negotiated are the selling price and closing date. Given that, you’ll be glad you did your homework first to understand how much you can afford.

Your agent will also be key in the negotiation process, giving you guidance on the counteroffer and making sure that the agreed-to contract terms are met.”

If your offer is approved, Freddie Mac urges you to “always get an independent home inspection, so you know the true condition of the home.” If the inspection uncovers undisclosed problems or issues, you can discuss any repairs that may need to be made, with the seller, or cancel the contract.

Bottom Line 

Whether buying your first home or your fifth, having a local professional on your side who is an expert in their market is your best bet to make sure the process goes smoothly. Give me a call and we’ll make it happen – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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$599,000

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2 Baths

1,655 SqFt

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$599,000

3 Beds

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1,840 SqFt

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$599,000

4 Beds

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1,897 SqFt

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$599,000

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$599,000

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$599,000

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,890 SqFt

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$599,000

5 Beds

3 Baths

2,302 SqFt

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Property Type Single Family Residence

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$599,000

3 Beds

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1,747 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6758376

Property Type Townhouse

Price Type --

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19733 N 79th Avenue Glendale, AZ 85308

$599,000

4 Beds

2 Baths

2,272 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6769879

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Charming single-story home with a spacious, open-concept layout and high ceilings, offering an abundance of natural light and elegant tile flooring throughout. Original owners have lovingly maintained the property ideal for hosting gatherings, this home boasts an extended, covered patio and a serene garden-like backyard. The generous primary suite features a separate tub and shower, a private water closet, and a large walk-in closet. A well-designed split floor plan includes 3 additional bedrooms and a full bathroom. The exterior was freshly painted this year, enhancing its curb appeal. The three-car garage is equipped with insulated door and ample storage cabinets. Conveniently located near golf courses, lakes, parks, and easy access to freeways, shopping, and medical facilities.

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1849 E Northview Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85020

$599,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,752 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6770374

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Location! Location! Location! Act fast before its gone. Beautiful home in Skyline Heights. This home is in the High Demand Pointe area. Brand New Roof just replaced with underlayment and brand-new tiles. New electrical panel box, New Garage door opener, New Security System, and New Dishwasher! Front and Backyard Brand New pet friendly artificial turf installed for low maintenance. Open and bright floorplan with fireplace and Atrium. Across the street from the park with mountain views and minutes from the Biltmore with restaurants, shopping and entertainment.

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