If you’ve been house hunting in the Lake Martin real estate market, or you’re ready to begin your home search, you want to make sure that you don’t miss out on your Lake Martin dream home! There are lots of gorgeous Lake Martin homes for sale right now, but with inventory still lower than average, it’s important to be ready to make a competitive offer as soon as you find a home you love.

As your Lake Martin real estate team, we are here to help guide you through the entire home-buying process! Here are some tips on how to make a strong, competitive offer:

1.  Know your price range ahead of time. Sellers will take you more seriously if you make an offer after you’re preapproved for a mortgage loan, if financing a home. If you can pay cash, that gives you bonus points in the eyes of most sellers. But it’s also important for you to know your own personal price range. When you find a home you love, you want to feel confident, along with the seller, that you can afford this home and that there won’t be any hiccups along the way if they accept your offer.

2.  Submit a strong offer. Once you find a home in the Lake Martin real estate market that you love and want to purchase, it’s time to make a written offer. Your agent will write up a purchase agreement that includes the purchase price and terms and conditions of the purchase. In today’s competitive market, it might make sense to make your best offer first. Your agent will know how competitive things are and will be able to guide you on what to offer, and what conditions to include.

3.  Negotiate the offer. After you make your first offer, the seller might counter your offer. You and your agent will then have to decide if you should accept the counter offer, make another counter offer, or back away. The counter offer will typically ask for a higher purchase price or different conditions, like an adjustment to the closing date. Your agent can help you decide what conditions are important and what will give you an edge, but it’s always wise to include a home inspection in your contingencies.

No matter what steps you take toward purchasing your Lake Martin dream home, it’s important to act fast. Listings are coming and going quickly this time of year! You don’t want to miss an opportunity because of indecision or stubbornness.

We are here to help! As Lake Martin real estate agents, we have the experience and knowledge of the market to help you make the best, smartest decisions when making an offer. We will help you determine what is realistic for you, and what will impress a seller. Give us a call when ready to begin the home-buying process at Lake Martin!

Becky Haynie, Associate Broker / Realtor
Lake Martin Realty
www.HomeOnLakeMartin.com