How To Cope With Low Ball Home Offers
Your Home Just Went On the Market...So Now What?!?
You are anxiously awaiting that first phone call from your Real Estate Agent with the sweet words, "we have an offer"...what follows that statement may or may not throw you a little off your rocker.Hopefully it solidifies the reasons why you decided to list your home in the first place.
Either way you have two scenarios:
1. Your offer came in lower than expected
2. Your offer came in just right and now you have vacate your home in a matter of 4 weeks
This will all depend on the housing market in your area and the condition of your home. San Diego is quite the "Seller's Market" right now so there is a good chance that you could get what you are asking for....possibly even 3 or 4 offers that leave you making the decision of who "wins" the home bidding war.
However, there is also a chance that it could be less than you expected...the housing market of the past 8 years have taught buyers to come in low, with exception of the most heated markets. (Ahem....San Diego)
So now what?!
Apply These 3 Techniques to Help Cope with Low Home Offers
- Don't fire back a reply immediately...get a feeling for why the offer is so low. This is where your agent can go to work for you and ask the buyer's agent why the offer landed at that price. In most cases the buyer's agent should have some answers as to why their buyer's offer is what it is. First look at the comparables the "Buyer" is using, are they relevant? What is the condition of your home compared to these homes?
- This first offer could be your reality check, did you de-clutter, paint, repair and deep clean? Unless you do some drastic corrections, the only answer is to try and negotiate the buyer's low offer upward.
- Negotiation works best when both parties get something they want.
- Your Buyer may be willing to pay closer to your asking price in exchange for paying their closing costs or a credit to help fix what they don't like.
- You may be willing to take a lower offer in exchange for a quicker close.
- Your willingness to negotiate depends on several factors, here are a few to consider:
- Can you get something you want in exchange for giving something the buyer wants?
- What are the market conditions in your neighborhood? Are homes flying off the market or sitting for over 30 days?
- How bad do you want to sell? Are you willing to let a few thousand dollars stand between you and the next chapter of your life?
- An Offer Shows you have something a buyer wants - unless the buyer can get the same thing somewhere else, you can counter the buyer's offer. Keep in mind that the buyer is only going to pay what he/she thinks the home is worth. Homes in top condition sell for the most money, if your home isn't move-in ready then it is likely to affect the price they are willing to pay.
Use your agent as a guide for how you can improve your contract negotiations. If your home is not in tip top shape then you can either make the repairs or offer a credit or allowance to help offset the buyer's hesitations.
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Have you been thinking about putting your home up for sale?
CONTACT US today and get a complimentary report for selling your home.
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