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If you've been paying attention the market here in Orange County, you know that inventory is quite low right now; there just aren't very many homes that are show-ready and priced to sell at the moment. These types of homes have a lot of demand for them - they're the types of properties everybody wants.
When there aren't many desirable homes available, but there are still buyers looking to purchase, multiple offer situations become common. That's exactly what we're seeing now. So, the question becomes, what can you do to make your offer stand out from the rest? There are certain things in the offers that homeowners are going to look for that you need to do:
- Prepare an offer that's clean and straightforward. Most homeowners want to know how much they'll sell their home for, how fast the home will close, how strong of a buyer you are, and how motivated you are to buy their home. When crafting an offer, don't put a lot of credits in there or extend timeframes - make it clean, straight, and to the point!
- Include a pre-approval letter. The homeowner doesn't know who you are; after all, they're just staring at a pile of paper. A pre-approval will give them the assurance that you have the ability to qualify for a loan and buy their property.
- Show proof of funds. Because the homeowners have no idea who you are, they will want to make sure you have the down payment necessary to close the deal. Include a bank statement showing the homeowner how much money you have in the bank ready to go.
These three things are essential if you want your offer to be accepted. However, we've found the a couple other things to be incredibly helpful to buyers who are trying to get their offers accepted. Here are two optional, but effective, things you can do:
- Write a personal letter. Why do you want the house? What do you like about the area so much? What makes this particular house so special to you? Many homeowners have lived in properties for 10-20 years, so there's a lot of sentimental value in that home. Many homeowners like to know that they're selling to someone who will take care of the home just like they did. A letter will create that emotional connection.
- Have your agent write a letter to the other agent. Sure, the homeowner has the final say in which offer is going to be accepted, but a lot of times a great agent will want to work with another great agent. When the buyer's agent and a seller's agent cooperate, the transaction goes a lot smoother. By having your agent write a letter about their past success and general ability to get deals closed, you will make your offer that much more enticing.
In a competitive marketplace like Orange County, we recommend doing all of these things when making an offer on a home. If you want to avoid missing out on that dream home, or if you have any questions about the process, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're always available to help you make the most of market conditions!