Tag Archives: Homebuyer

Tired of Losing? Two Ways Home-Buyers Can WIN…

If your goal is to purchase a home this year, you might be looking for any advantage you can get in today’s sellers’ market. While competition is still fierce for homebuyers, there are ways you can win and secure the home of your dreams, even in a hot market.

Father and son laughing and playing in the park together

Act Early and Save

The earlier you act this year, the more affordable your purchase will be. That’s because experts project mortgage rates will rise as we move deeper into 2022. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is expected to be 3.5% by year’s end. Experts forecast home prices will rise as well.

That means the longer you wait, the more it will cost you to buy a home. Instead, act early and purchase your home before rates and prices rise further. Not to mention, the sooner you buy, the sooner you can experience the benefits of continued home price appreciation yourself. Once you have your home, you’ll be able to watch its value rise, giving you confidence that your investment is a sound one.

Buy Now, Move Later

Keep in mind, with high buyer demand like we’re seeing today, you’ll be competing against other potential homebuyers, which means you need to find a way to stand out. One way to accomplish this is to negotiate with sellers and present terms that meet their ideal needs. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com, explains one lever flexible buyers can pull to entice sellers:

“For buyers with more flexible timelines – such as those making a move from a big city – offering a couple extra months on the closing date could sweeten the deal for sellers who also need to buy their next home.”

In other words, if you’re eager to purchase a home now before it becomes more costly and you don’t have to move right away, you could extend the date of your closing and provide the seller with the time they need to find their next home. That’s a deal that could benefit both parties and help you stand out from the crowd.

Of course, it’s important to work with a real estate professional for expert advice on how to make your best offer. Your trusted advisor knows what’s working in your market and what may appeal to sellers.

Bottom Line

Experts project home prices and rates will increase in 2022. That means buyers who are ready should act soon and find ways to strengthen their offer to meet sellers’ needs. Let’s connect today to learn how you can win in today’s market.

RELATIONSHIPS AND REAL ESTATE

A REALTOR’s® Relationships with Colleagues, Partners and Vendors Can Save a Transaction.

A REALTOR’s® job (in a nutshell) is to procure the sale of real estate between a willing buyer and seller.

We have all been part of, or witnessed, a transaction that does not go well.  Whether it is buying/leasing a car, or retaining the services of a contractor, unless the parties are successful in communicating extremely clearly, there is always a possibility for a “miscommunication”.  This can lead to wounded egos, unhappy parties, or an issue to be resolved by litigation.  Can a Relationship save a transaction?

My relationship with my network is essential to client-satisfaction.  Whether referring a client to another REALTOR® a thousand miles away, or a local lender, I have extreme confidence in my referral partners.  When you are looking for a REALTOR® to partner with, it is essential that he/she have strong relationships with their referral network.

As a Full-Time REALTOR® for over a decade, I am fortunate that I have not had anything worse than the “wounded ego” (mine) experience in my business.  Live-and-
Learn.  One of the ways I have virtually eliminated the chance of these types of “miscommunications” is by putting all important communications in writing.  Additionally, I am very selective when choosing business partners and vendors to whom I refer business.  My partners and vendors are full-time (so they aren’t distracted by another job,) professional (they conduct themselves and behave appropriately,) ethical (they don’t put anything in front of the client’s best interests,) and licensed, and insured.  Having established relationships with people of this caliber, reduces the chance a client will be unhappy with me, because of an experience they had with a referral partner.

My colleagues who are also at the top of their game usually have strong networks of referral partners that they rely on for their clients’ needs. 

There are lots of good REALTORS®, but what sets some apart is the strength of the relationships they have with their referral network.  There have been times when I have to request that a partner, or vendor, to go the “extra (ethical) mile” to help bring a transaction to the Closing Table.  Maybe it is as simple as asking my preferred moving company to squeeze in an extra moving job for a client who scheduled a move with another mover whose truck broke down, or calling North Smithfield Tree Service to remove tree limbs that the Seller couldn’t get removed and it’s the day before Closing. 

The difference between success and failure maybe the extra effort exerted as a result of a relationship between the REALTOR® and a someone in their network.   

That is why Relationships are essential in the business of Real Estate.  YES, a relationship CAN save a transaction.

Joe Luca is a full-time REALTOR® who helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals.