The current housing market conditions are making it particularly challenging and different from making an offer on a home even just one year ago. The competition is fierce, and things can be intimidating. The bidding wars are real and really frustrating. If you are a serious buyer, your best bet is to arm yourself with some essential tips to help you to present your strongest offer from the start.  

4 Tips To Present Your Strongest Offer

Here are some ways to give yourself the best chance to have your first offer accepted.   

1. Get Pre-Approved:  A pre-approval is a smart first step. Getting pre-approved will help you determine a viable price range and will show sellers that you are a serious potential buyer. Taking the time to go through a pre-approval process with several lenders will allow you to obtain a competitive mortgage rate and the best deal. A pre-approval will allow you to shop with confidence knowing that you have the backing and support of a lender in your search.   
   
   
2. Waive Some Contingencies:  According to Investopedia¹, a contingency clause is a contract provision that requires a specific event of action to take place for the contract to be considered valid. For instance, a buyer can cancel a deal if specific criteria of that deal are not met. To make your offer more attractive to a seller, you could consider waiving some contingencies, if permissible by your mortgage provider. For example, waving a home sale contingency may add more risk for you as the buyer, but certainly adds a competitive edge to making an offer. With research and guidance, this could be a viable option for you. In another example, if you are in the position to provide an all-cash offer, you could think about removing the financing and appraisal contingencies. This can be incredibly attractive to a potential seller. Contingencies connected to the purchase of a property could be seen as obstacles and barriers to a quick and efficient closing. Speak with a trusted mortgage professional to learn about what contingencies you could forgo as a buyer.  
   
   
3. Consider An Experienced Lending Expert:  When you think about financing for your home, think about using a lender who is familiar with the neighborhood or your geographic location you are interested in purchasing in. Some lenders might be licensed in your state, but do not have extensive experience with local regulations which can slow down the closing. HomeLend has actively processed and funded loans for over two decades in our licensed jurisdiction. Plus, our digital mortgage process can be completed up to three weeks faster than the national average of most lenders². We have experience in working in over 25+ different states and various markets. 
   
   
4. Offer Above Asking:  According to Redfin.com³, in March 2022, 54.3% of homes sold above list price, up 12.3 points year-over-year. This confirms that bidding wars have become more common, and the housing market is hot. Be sure to set your budget and buying expectations to allow you to understand your threshold and produce a strong offer. Lean on your mortgage banker to help you carefully craft an attractive offer above asking which will help to show the seller you are serious.  

Summary 

Buyers being outbid is commonplace in today’s housing market. In a competitive purchase market, one can potentially expect to make several offers on multiple houses before the right property purchase comes to fruition. Be prepared, patient, and anticipate competition. If your offer falls through for one reason or another, update your pre-approval status to make another offer on a different property.   

This information is for informational purposes only and is intended to provide general guidance and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Each person’s circumstances are different and may not apply to the specific information provided. You should seek the advice of a financial professional, tax consultant, and/or legal counsel to discuss your specific needs before making any financial or other commitments regarding the matters related to your condition are made. 

References:  

• https://themortgagereports.com/38667/avoid-these-7-mistakes-when-making-an-offer-on-a-house   
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesrealestatecouncil/2021/07/27/five-steps-to-make-your-best-offer-in-an-exploding-housing-market/?sh=516b1cb61314   
• https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/102913/contingency-clauses-home-purchase-contracts.asp  
• https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/make-an-offer-on-a-house/  
• https://www.redfin.com/us-housing-market   
  
  

Disclosures: 

1. Contingency Clauses in Home Purchase Contracts. (2022, March 2). Investopedia. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/102913/contingency-clauses-home-purchase-contracts.asp
2. Statistics based on the national average from the ICE Mortgage Technology – January 2021 Origination Insight Report. 
3. Redfin. (2022). House Prices & Trends. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://www.redfin.com/us-housing-market