Purchasing a home in a seller's market may prove to be difficult. Fortunately, we're here to offer expert guidance to ensure you can find the best house at the lowest price, regardless of the present real estate sector's conditions.
Now, let's take a look at three tips to help you get ready to pursue a home in a seller's market.
1. Assess the Housing Market Closely
A seller's market likely features a shortage of high-quality houses. As such, you'll want to analyze the local real estate sector closely so you can identify your dream home faster than ever before.
Take a look at the prices of recently sold houses in your city or town. This information can help you understand the average price range for homes of all sizes in your area. You also should find out how long these homes were available before they sold to understand the current pace of the real estate market.
Furthermore, you should make a checklist of home must-haves and wants. Once you craft this checklist, you can assess the houses available in your city or town and map out your homebuying journey accordingly.
2. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
In all likelihood, you'll need to act fast to acquire your ideal residence in a seller's market. If you have a mortgage in hand when you submit a home offer, you may boost your chances of receiving a "Yes" from a seller.
A home offer that is contingent on a buyer's approval for a mortgage often is far from ideal. If a seller receives this type of offer, he or she may be reluctant to accept it, as there are no guarantees a buyer will be able to obtain the necessary financing to acquire a home.
Comparatively, a buyer who gets pre-approved for a mortgage can enter a seller's market with a budget in hand. And if he or she finds a great house, this buyer can submit an offer without having to worry about getting financing at a later time.
To get pre-approved for a mortgage, you should meet with a variety of lenders. These financial institutions can teach you about a wide range of mortgage options and help you find the right mortgage based on your finances.
3. Collaborate with a Real Estate Agent
A seller's market can be tough to navigate, regardless of whether you're a first-time or experienced homebuyer. Thankfully, real estate agents are available who can guide you along the homebuying journey.
Typically, a real estate agent will learn about your homebuying goals. He or she then will keep you up to date about houses that meet your criteria, set up home showings and help you submit offers on residences. And if you ever have homebuying concerns or questions, a real estate agent is ready to respond to them at any time.
Prepare to buy a house in a seller's market – use the aforementioned tips, and you can move one step closer to acquiring your dream residence.
About the Author
Meryl Diamond
While I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, I have spent the last 27 years living in the Lisle and Naperville area. The first single family home my husband and I ever owned was in Green Trails, Lisle. There were two things we loved about living in Green Trails - the sense of community and all the green space. This was a dream come true for my children who always had a friend to play with or a babysitter near by. For me, it gave me a chance to get to know the neighbors whom I have built lifelong friendships with. From neighborhood garage sales to summer barbeques, we always found reason to come together.
