Much like dating, when looking to buy a home there are many factors that one must weigh when trying to find the perfect match. Just like on a dating app, you can’t spend too much time dwelling over a person who doesn’t fit the bill. Wrong neighborhood, swipe left. Not enough bedrooms, swipe left. Too outdated, swipe left.
And just when you thought you’ve run out of all viable options, the picture-perfect home appears. Located in the cutest neighborhood, spacious rooms, an entertaining backyard—it’s your dream home. So, you text your realtor, excited that you have just found the one. As you drive up you can feel your heart race, you can see building a family, throwing parties, even growing old in it. Jitters set in, you know, you just know without a doubt that this is it. But 50 others feel the exact same way.
In a market where inventory is low and demand is high, house hunting becomes a patience game. Just like when seeking a partner in life, you must be sure about your nonnegotiables; make a list of what you want and itemize them from what is most important to least important.
As homes become available, be prepared to show up with your best self, in this case, your strongest offer. Show them that you’re serious by being aggressive on price and talking to your lender ahead of time to see how competitive you can be on terms. Think outside the box, make the seller see how interested you are, throw in an escalation clause, and if you have a large cash down payment, offer to remove appraisal contingency, and be willing to come out of pocket to bridge the gap if need be. Be creative, do a write up on why they should pick you over other buyers. Maybe even offer them your first born, just kidding, well sort of.
Sitting back and just watching homes sold to other buyers can be discouraging, but don’t be afraid to get yourself in the game and take action. You may lose out on the first 15 homes that you thought were your “soulmate,” but keep trying, stay positive, and know that your forever home will happen.
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