Low inventory has created a sellers’ market in many parts of the United States in 2021. Due to the limited number of homes for sale in most states, bidding wars are increasingly more common. This is great news for sellers, because many are now receiving more than their original asking price. However, this reality makes buying conditions challenging to say the least. Below are a few steps that a buyer can take to increase their chances for winning a bidding war.
Pay with cash.
Most homebuyers today cannot afford to pay for their home with cash. With this, paying for your home with cash will give you an edge over other potential buyers looking at the property. Not only will paying in cash create a better financial situation for you, but it will also benefit the seller as well.
Get preapproved for a loan.
If you are unable to make a cash offer, you will need to apply for a loan. Where many homebuyers go wrong today is they wait to get pre-approved. One of the best steps that a buyer can take to gain an advantage over other buyers is proactively getting preapproved for a home loan. Taking this step will show sellers that you are a serious buyer because you have already done your due diligence and you have proof that you can afford the home.
Rely on the expertise of your agent.
A reputable real estate should be able to guide you through the entire home buying process. When faced with a lot of competition, they can make suggestions about structuring the best possible offer on a property. In some cases, you and your agent may need to use a bit of creativity when making an offer. For instance, you can structure your offer in a way where you put more money down on the home.
Buying a home in today’s market can be a challenging endeavor. With a tremendous amount of competition, bidding wars can easily ruin your plans. However, these steps are a few that a buyer can take to gain an advantage.