Tips to Compete in a Seller’s Market

How can you navigate the competition to buy your dream home? These representatives from Coldwell Banker Preferred have offered their advice to set you on the right course.

Create a road map for your buying process.

“It’s really important before you start looking to meet with an agent and interview them to find someone who is good match for you,” said Holly Mack-Ward, an agent with Coldwell Banker Preferred – Old City.

Learn the neighborhood and market.

“Sometimes if you pay the asking price you may get a really fair deal,” Mack-Ward said. “If you know the value of the neighborhoods, it will help you not just with being prepared, but you will not be second guessing what you did later because you made an informed decision.”

Secure financing and pre-approvals.

“We’re finding very close to 50 percent of houses that are selling are going under contract in the first 30 days of being on the market,” Mike McKee an agent in Coldwell Banker Preferred – Wilmington said.

“In addition to having the buyers’ financing in order, buyers should be prepared to remove as many contingencies as possible to make their offer more attractive to the seller,” said agent Kathy Gagnon of Coldwell Banker Preferred – Exton. “A savvy seller will not consider any home sale contingencies.”

Trust your agent to make an appealing, holistic offer.

“It’s really important to rely on their expertise as far as contracting a competitive offer,” Mack-Ward said. “There are other factors and terms that go into that offer and a good agent can give you good suggestions to make it better across the board.”

Tell your agent what you must have versus what you would like.

“Trust that your agent will help you negotiate what is important to you,” said agent Mary Helen Ranieri of Coldwell Banker Preferred – Haddonfield. “Go for the home with gusto when it is right in your heart.”

Find the right agent for you at cbpref.com.