Sellers Are Getting Their Price~What You Need to Know

Spring has sprung! Welcome sunshine and motivation! This the time of year that new listings are coming on the market rapidly. Here is what you need to know whether you are buying or selling. First of all....if you are buying. Work with a Broker or a Broker who offers a paperwork service if you are purchasing a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) such as Cacadia Mt. Realty, in order to protect yourself and make sure your bases are covered and your earnest money is safe. Also, your Broker is going to have access to a data base that has all the properties that meet your budget and criteria. Please, and I cannot stress this enough...get PRE QUALIFIED! In this market with low inventory and qualified buyers, if you do not have a pre qualification letter, you do not have buying power in this tight market. If you do not know where to begin, your Broker will be able to guide you. Do not think in this market you can come in at a substantially lower offer than the asking price. Your Broker will know how long the property has been listing and can guide you on what to offer if you are unsure. Be educated about your market and do not think that you can come in with a low ball offer and have it accepted. Right now, the market is too tight and sellers have so many options coming in. You have to be competitive if you want to move forward. And bad news if you are looking to have a lease option. Many people like this option if they are rebuilding credit, have substantial down payments and do not want to go through traditional financing. If a property is financable, a seller will not likely entertain a lease option in this market due the the ability to sell outright. Older manufactured homes are your best option to get this type of financing. They are out there but know they are few and far between. For the sellers! Again, make sure you are protected by using a Broker or a paperwork service that usually charges a small fee such as Cascadia Mt. Realty. Find out what sets your Broker apart from other Brokers and whether or not their commission is negotiable. We want your business and depending on the home, will usually work with you on commission. Make sure you Broker has a plan in place for marketing your property and won't just list it and have it sit there. If the property is occupied, please keep it clean along the schedule of your showing. Most occupied listings have a 24 hour notice to show giving the occupant time to clean to show ready status. Keep the yard mowed, watered and great touches are flower baskets that offer color and curb appeal. Remove clutter and stacks of paperwork inside the home. Stuff in a drawer if need be. Just remove as much clutter as you can. Again, your Broker should be able to advise you on this. Whenever possible, do NOT be present for showings unless your Broker recommend you be there. When a Broker is showing your home, the potential buyer may feel restricted with their comments and questions if you are there. They also will not feel as comfortable looking around and deciding on a major investment if you are standing around. Good luck out there! And know you have good people in your corner! I'm here if I can help!