Using my aggressive marketing and pricing your home at the right list price will give your home maximum exposure to buyers... We are going to receive offers!
There are two ways we can set up the marketing that will determine how we receive offers:
These are the pros and cons for each.
Ask the buyers to submit their Highest and Best offer on their first offer…
PROS:
CONS:
Not mention it and then send a multiple counter to all offers
PROS:
CONS:
No matter what, we are going to look at ALL offers - no matter the price.
Buyers sometimes like to test the sellers. We are going to counter ALL offers.
There is nothing much worse than getting multiple good offers, then select one that turns out to be a dud. Then go back to the other offers and the buyer has already found another home.
Ouch!
How do we avoid that?
We can't... At least not all the time.
We don’t have a crystal ball, so we won’t be able to avoid some things. Some things will happen that are out of our hands. However, there are steps we can take to assure the best chance of getting the best offer that will actually close.
Ways to avoid the pitfalls of selecting the wrong offer:
Let me repeat - once there are signs of things falling apart, give them a Notice to Perform and get out of the transaction as quickly as possible.
We will not play that game!
Once we find out there something not right from the buyer's side, we will send out a Notice to Perform right away to find out if we're moving forward or not. We will NOT be playing that game.
Photo by Jim Larrison
When we go through the offers, price is important, since that determines your bottomline. However, terms in the contract can also affect you bottomline, as well as your moving timeline.
Consider too, if you already have a place to move to or will you need a replacement property. (This should already been discussed during the initial interview and our marketing of the property will reflect this as well.)
Here are some questions we need to ask and look for in each offer:
Of course we would like to receive an offer that would net you as much as possible. However, we have to be careful that the offer price is not too high that the property won’t appraise at that price. This will cause us issues in the middle of the transaction, which could cause the transaction to fall apart.
So, what do we do?
If we get a high offer like that, we will ask the buyer to let us know what they plan to do, if the appraisal comes in much lower than their offer price.
Knowing these ahead of time will help us make a decision on that particular offer.
Other terms that we need to review and look for are:
“Wow! There is a lot to go over in the contract.” they both said and I agreed.
Once we accept an offer, the clock starts ticking because time is of the essence. There are timelines in the contract. Therefore, let’s get a jump on the things we can control - from our end.
And a host of other things to make the inspector’s and appraiser’s job easier, thus making the entire transaction smoother.
I am always in favor of ordering the inspections ahead of time and if possible, go ahead and repair those items.
If you decided not to do the repairs, at least in the beginning, we’ll already know if the buyer will want the repairs done or not. By negotiating all of this in advance, you’ll have a better idea how much you’re walking away with and we’ll know how smooth the rest of the transaction is going to go.
However, if you decide not to order the inspections, then they will order their own and we get a copy of it. If we make sure that everything is in working order ahead of time, the reports will be cleaner and the buyer may not ask for as many items to be repaired, which is good for your bottomline.
Also, if they do ask for repairs, depending on their lender’s guidelines, we can offer them credit for the amount of the repairs and let the buyer take care of those items when they move in.
Moving day. Picture provided by Bill McChesney
You should have already removed as many items as possible out of the property to make it in showing condition. However, this would be a good time to start packing the rest of the items so you won’t be stressed later.
In the meantime, I’ll stay in constant contact with the buyer’s lender to make sure everything is going well with the buyer’s loan.
Most of the time, your closing paperwork will be ready before the buyer’s papers. So, we can set up your signing ahead of time.
Typically, once the buyer signs their closing paperwork, it takes 2 to 3 days to finalize the transaction and you get your funds. However, if can be as quick as a day, so make sure you’re all packed and ready to go once we close.
Although, you typically have until around 5 pm or 6 to be completely moved out on the day of recording.... Unless it was negotiated in advance that you have a rent-back for a certain amount of time, then you can stay up to the day negotiated on the contract.
It helps to plan in advance.
Leave all keys (front door and mailbox, etc), remote controls, warranties and owner’s guide to appliances and any other paperwork we need to give to the new owner.
I’ll leave the front door key in my lockbox for the buyer’s agent to take and give to the new owner.
“Nice. We are both looking forward to that day.” Cersei said.
Buckle up. It will be here before you know it!
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About the author: All of the articles in this site were written and provided by Rico Castillo (DRE# 01234643) with Coldwell Banker. If any information is provided by another source, such as the local MLS or by Metrolist, then a disclaimer will be on that page.
Rico can be reached by cell at (916) 934-3146 or email at rico.castillo@cbnorcal.com. Visit his YouTube Channel at https://bit.ly/3bAaZJs
My aim is always 100% client satisfaction by helping you accomplish your real estate goals and finding you the home you've Dreamed about in the area you and your family can feel proud and safe to live in!
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