Real estate agents are the experts in the industry. So, when an agent buying a house of their own you know they are always using the best practices available to get a good deal.
Here are five strategies that real estate pros use that you should also be using when buying a house.
- Stay on top of the listings
It makes sense that real estate agents would be the first people to look at a house when it comes on the market. After all, their job involves keeping an eye on the MLS for new listings.
This is a lesson that we can all learn from. If you want to find the right house for you then you need to be staying on top of the new listings.
As soon as a listing becomes available that you are interested in you should try to be the first person to look at the house. And, if you like the house you need to act fast.
- Look for homes that have been on the market for a long time
While it can help to be the first buyer to look at a house, sometimes you will get a better deal by looking at the houses that have been on the market for a while. Some pros recommend sticking to houses that have been on the market for at least 21 days. The initial craziness of attention from buyers has already past and the sellers are most likely getting a little anxious. This is a good time to get a deal.
- Don’t buy when everyone else is buying a house
It’s easy to make a house look great in the summertime. The sun is shining, fresh flowers are growing, and the trees are full of leaves. Buyers are often able to get top dollar by selling in the summer months when their curb appeal is top notch and there is an influx of buyers in the market.
This is why it can be wise to wait until summer is over before starting your house hunt. There isn’t as much competition and sellers tend to be more willing to work with a buyer that comes along.
- Deliver your offer face-to-face
This might seem a little intimidating, but when you deliver your offer to the seller face-to-face you are able to give them a complete picture of you instead of having them just focus on your price. You can let them know what you love about the house and why you think it’s the right one for you. This goes a lot further even than writing a letter.
- Always follow up
Maybe you put in a low offer from the start but the seller didn’t like it. That doesn’t mean you have to walk away altogether.
Let the house be on the market for a while to see if the seller is getting a better deal. If the house is still on the market weeks later then follow up to see if they have changed your mind and are interested in your deal.
There are a lot of strategies out there about how to get a deal when buying a house. However, the best strategies are going to be the ones that the real estate pros actually use for their own situations. Put these ones to the test.
