Your Realtor FOR LIFE Winning the House You Fall in Love With

By Gary Stubblefield The Stubblefield Home Team of Keller Williams Realty

Congratulations! You have found you’re head over heels in love with a house. This house speaks to your heart and addresses all of your must-have items for a new home. The home you and your realtor found is the style you like, with the dream kitchen you desire and the perfect yard. This is your forever home. Now, what do you do to secure your happily-ever-after home? Here are four tips for what to do when you find a home you love. The first step is to contact your realtor to set up a showing. More than likely, what you have seen so far has been online. The National Association of Realtors reports that almost half of all home searches begin on the internet. Online listings have improved over the years, with better photography and video tours. But it’s not until you finally step into an actual home that you can get a better sense of how the rooms flow and if the pictures do true justice to a house.

Despite the fact that half of all initial searches often begin online, once buyers are really serious, nearly 88 percent of prospective buyers work with a real estate agent (National Association of Realtors). Now, it’s time to have your realtor get you in the door. This is when you’ll see not just the house but the neighborhood, as well. So, step one is to request a showing.

Step two is to educate yourself about the home. Both home buying and love have one thing in common: it can be an emotional rollercoaster. Think about it: A new home is also a commitment to a longtime relationship. It’s really the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Your realtor will work as your educator, pointing out important thoughts to consider. Is the price fair? What are the ongoing costs of the home, including taxes and any possible homeowner association fees? Does the price reflect current market values and comparable units currently listed and recently sold? Find out the age of the roof and mechanicals. If they are nearing end of life, these will be items to budget for in regards to future costs. These can also be items for negotiation.

Position yourself as a strong and serious buyer. There’s no sugarcoating it. In competitive markets, homes get snapped up quickly, and you’ll likely be competing with cash buyers.

Your best strategy is to position yourself as a strong buyer who’s serious about getting to the closing table. Start preparing for a competitive market before you even begin your home search. That way, when you find a home you love, you’ll be ready and able to make a confident offer. Step three in winning the house you’ve fallen in love with is to increase your buying power. The key to winning the house you love begins with having all of your financial affairs in order. This will start with obtaining a pre-qualification letter from your lender, stating what you have been approved to spend. If you are paying with cash, have a source-of-funds letter stating you have access to a certain amount of funds. This can come from your bank, credit union or financial planner, or through your investment accounts. Armed with your prequalification documents, now you can make an offer that shows merit. The fourth step in winning the house you love is to make a strong offer. We are entering our third year of a unique housing market. Inventory remains low, meaning you will face more competition from other prospective buyers. Now is when your realtor is your best ally, or Cupid, in helping you win the home of your dreams.

Your real estate agent will have access to what comparable homes are listing for and what they are actually selling for. Your realtor will suggest certain strategies that may make your offer more attractive than a competing offer, such as increasing earnest money or being flexible on closing and possession dates.

Finally, relax. You are in good hands with your local professional realtor. We gladly play the role of Cupid every day! We love helping you find and win the home of your dreams. Happy house-hunting and Happy Valentine’s Day!