Buyer Techniques and Strategies

In an average real estate market, you are likely to find that the buyer offering the most money will get the deal. Lindee and I have found that in our In many parts of the country, a real estate seller is likely to respond best to the buyer that offers the most money. In our sizzling and sometimes aggressive Puget Sound area market, buyers need to go beyond money and tap into what motivates and interests a seller.

A sellers needs or unique desires may weigh more than the highest dollar offer. Some ideas for tapping into the needs and desires of a seller include:

• Write personal statements to a seller. Many homeowners love their homes and have a difficult time selling. A buyer may significantly influence a seller by making a connection through a personal letter attached to the offer. You want the seller to know you will cherish the home as much as they did. Also, Lindee and I will present the offer directly to the seller and make an appeal on your behalf. We have seen this technique succeed many times, even when the dollar value is less than competing offers.
  
  
• Find out what is important to the seller. How long do they need to remain in the home? Are they buying another home at the same time? Perhaps they need to rent the home from you for a short time after the sale. Maybe the seller needs to close the deal quickly. Are the sellers fans of the Mariners, Seahawks, Aquasox or Seattle Reign? Attaching a couple of tickets to your offer could have a very positive influence!



• Get an inspection prior to making an offer. Sellers generally prefer to have a straightforward, clean offer. Buyers with the fewest contingencies generally have a better chance of getting the deal. So, if possible, don't make an offer contingent on an inspection--get the inspection done before making an offer. Inspections generally cost between $250 and $400 in our area. If you don't want to get the inspection before making an offer, minimize the time needed for the inspection in your offer.



• Minimize Contingencies.