Go Ahead and Insult Me...My Job Starts When the Offer Is Made!   

Make an offer and don't worry about "insulting" me or the seller?

There have been offers rejected but many more  have been negotiated and gone to settlement.

No seller wants to 'give their house away.'  But they do want to sell.   Does the seller have to accept a "too low" offer? Of course not but it might start  negotiations.

 

A contract should not be viewed as an insult.  It demonstrates the buyer's interest  in making a purchase.  It takes time to obtain a qualifying letter,  show proof of funds, produce an earnest money deposit, sign the 42 page offer, figure out closing dates, home inspections etc.

We have all gotten this question: "Will the seller take such and such for the house?"

How would I know?  This question is NOT an offer!  It must be in writing.  Have you heard this statement?  "I don't want to waste time with an offer that will not work."  Whose time are you wasting? Not mine. That's my job.

Until you put it in writing,  there is nothing to talk about.

This is where a seasoned agent is worth their weight in gold...or maybe just a full commission.

Once a formal offer is presented, the agent now has something to work with and can  prepare and present net sheets showing what the proceeds to the seller will be. 

The first net is labeled  "In a perfect world" - this one has a full list price, 30-day cash settlement and no contingencies.

The second net sheet is labeled "In the real world" - this is the actual offer in hand. This one includes a summary with price, date, contingencies, financing - in other words, the good and not so good points, but it is what we have to work with. 

Remember you have only 2 choices... accept it or reject it. But what about a counter offer? A counter is a rejection and gives the buyer the opportunity to walk. 

If you decide to counter...The third, fourth, fifth etc net sheets  will have various examples ways to negotiate. Sometimes it is price alone, sometimes it is terms, sometimes it is possession, sometimes it is repairs, sometimes it is exclusions, but most times it is a mixture of all these. Now you're ready to negotiate, but it can't start until someone makes an offer.

 

Go Ahead and Insult Me...My Job Starts When the Offer Is Made.