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Insider Strategies for Buyers

As a home buyer, have you ever felt at a disadvantage, whether it be because it’s a sellers’ market or you’re just plain intimidated by large, complex financial transactions like buying a home? Most of us have at one time or another.

I’m willing to bet you’d love some insider secrets for your next purchase. Well, my friend, that’s what I’ve got for you today! I’m a Realtor® now, but in my previous career I was a real estate attorney, so when I combine both of those skill sets I’ve got lots of great tips to help give you the confidence to feel like a budding real estate tycoon for your next home purchase.

Define your ‘win?’

The first thing you need to do is define what makes a win for you. Yes, getting your optimum purchase price is what most people think of first, however, there are other aspects of the deal that will make it a win, in addition to the financial piece. In a seller’s market it may seem tough for sellers to go for a win but we can negotiate some winning terms such as sellers contributing to closing costs and getting your preferred date for closing and transfer of possession. Or a win may be purchasing that piece of furniture you noticed fits exquisitely in one certain space in the home. Keep an open mind and be sure to discuss with your Realtor®.

In a multiple offer scenario

Find out how you can offer to sweeten the deal. Do the sellers need a quick sale? Do they need a specific closing date further in the future because of their constraints? Can you offer a cash purchase or shorter due diligence? Consider including an escalation clause in your contract, which allows your offer to be automatically escalated if counter-offers arise. Your agent should be willing to find out from the seller’s agent how a deal could be sweetened to get their attention. Be willing to act on those options.

Know what you’re buying

Since you are ultimately responsible for the home you are purchasing, make sure all the necessary due diligence is being completed. For example, make sure to have a home inspection, a survey and a radon test. I also recommend my clients request a home warranty and a termite bond. These items are not always standard practice, so protect yourself and your investment to insure they’re done properly and you have seen the results of any of the inspections and tests.

Above all, choose to work with a Realtor® that will represent you and your interests well. They need to listen to you and be willing to go the extra mile to make your purchase a success. If you need that kind of agent, I’m happy to help you! Please reach out by phone or text at 404.218.6714 or visit my website at www.jesscs.com.

Happy House Hunting!

~Jess

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Insider strategies for a successful sale

Yes, it is a seller’s market, but having a successful, uncomplicated sale is not effortless. It takes planning and work and the more consideration we put into the sale of your home, the more money you will make and the happier you and your buyers will be. So, I’m inviting you behind the curtain, backstage for some pointers on what you can do to insure the successful, uncomplicated sale of your Atlanta Luxury Home.

  1. Know your buyer. Today’s buyers, more than ever, prefer move-in ready homes. If you have been putting off basic updates, like carpets, paint, or floors, get those done before putting your home on the market. Your home will sell faster and for more money if it’s been updated with a neutral color palette.
  2. Timing is everything. Timing also has to do with knowing your buyer. Is your home ideally suited for a family? If so, you may want to time your listing so that buyers with kids can close and move during the spring/summer when school’s out. However, if you are selling an intown penthouse in a high-rise building, you may want to time your sale near the end of the year when lots of corporate transfers happen. Discuss the best timing with your agent.
  3. Marketing out of the box. Even in a seller’s market, you’ve got to market your home like a pro. Make sure your agent presents you with a thorough marketing plan that includes professional photography and videography as well as staging. The marketing plan should also include strategies such as social media and an open house for agents. If you want to fetch top dollar for your home, it’s got to look like a top dollar home. Buyers can spot value and they will willingly pay if they feel they are getting their money’s worth.
  4. Have a plan. Murphey’s Law is alive and well in real estate so I like to discuss expectations with my clients and have lots of contingency plans and strategies. For example, we’ll choose a starting price for the home, but if market factors change and comparables and competing properties pop up, we need to have a plan for how we will adjust for success.
  5. Assess the strength of the buyer. And, finally, if you want an uncomplicated transaction, assess the strength of the buyer before entering into a sales contract with them. I like to look for factors such as a short due diligence period. Now in Georgia, eager buyers can even offer option money, which is basically a good will gesture to sellers. At the end of the day, we like to see a clean offer from a buyer in a strong financial position that’s not asking for lots of contingencies.

If you look forward to a streamlined, successful sale of your home, these pointers will help you get there. And, equally as important as the above tips is choosing the right team members to work with that you can trust. As a third generation Atlantan and practicing real estate attorney I would be happy to guide you through the sale of your home and together we can make it as successful and uncomplicated as possible. Please reach out if I can be of any help to you.

~Jess

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Spring 2018 – Beacham Insider

Beacham sellers time the market to their benefit as the firm experiences a blistering start to 2018 with a 53.5% increase in homes sold and a 33.6 % increase in dollar volume closed from 2017.

Get all the details in the latest issue:

Spring 2018 Beacham Insider

 

Enjoy!

~Jess