“The real estate market has officially rebounded”. There I said it, and you heard it here first.  You may think I’m a bit crazy for declaring such a statement, but I assure you, it’s back and it’s only getting stronger.

The evidence is out there. Existing home sales are up. Buyer confidence is up. Inventory is down. When you have a lower amount of homes on the market, the buyer pool naturally increases. If you’re in the market to purchase a home now, I don’t have to tell you … it’s slim picking.

If you come across a listing that is in good condition and priced right, it’s possible to have 2-3 offers on it. Here’s a few tips to getting your offer accepted.

1. Make sure you’re pre-approved. Gone are the days of simply writing an offer without this. It’s like having cash in your hand and absolutely necessary.
    

2. Keep the time contingencies short. For example, let the seller know you’ll do your inspection within 3-5 days, and you’ll apply for your mortgage within 5-7. This allows the seller to know you’re serious.
    

3. If the seller isn’t offering the appliances, don’t ask for them. They want to keep them for a reason. Motivated sellers have to sell at an extreme discount, use the money you’re saving on your end and purchase them separately.
    

4. Keep your closing date within 45 days. Check with your mortgage lender first, but most times they won’t need more than time than that. Sellers want to get it wrapped up and closed, and you should too!
    

5. Put your best offer on the table to start. When buyers start with low offers, the seller doesn’t feel a sense of urgency to respond quickly. Make them an offer they can’t refuse. If you come in strong, you put yourself in the driver seat and the seller won’t want to lose you.
    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert Chubb is a full time Realtor and long time Novi resident. He has been selling real estate full time since 2004 and serves the Metro Detroit area. If you have questions or comments, he can be reached at 248-390-0850 or at rob@3dxonline.com.