Agents know it, and they use it to achieve a better price. That\u2019s their job after all. What is harrowing as a buyer is trying to work out the legitimacy of the agents often made claim that \u201cthere is another buyer\u201d.<\/p>\n
As a buyer, if you swallow the \u201cwe have another buyer\u201d message hook, line and sinker, it can cause you to react irrationally and potentially overpay. To dismiss the threat entirely can cause you to miss out on your dream home.<\/p>\n
In a strong market, buyer competition is expected. The reverse is often expected in a soft market.<\/p>\n
However, when a property is on the market for 3 months prior to you making an offer on it, the claim that there is now suddenly another buyer can seem dubious. Some may say it\u2019s Murphy\u2019s Law conspiring against you.<\/p>\n
Remain open to all possibilities. There may not be another buyer, but there may be. Just don\u2019t form a strong opinion either way, lest you increase the risk of being blind-sided.<\/p>\n
Focus on what the home means to you and what it is worth to you. Disregard what other buyers may or may not do and what they do or don\u2019t think the home is worth. Like all competitive scenarios, if you focus on the opposition, you are prone to mistakes.<\/p>\n
When making the offer, don\u2019t play games with opportunistic offers. What is more important? Buying the right home in the right location or risking the home to try and save $10,000 or $20,000?<\/p>\n
Submit your offer on a contract. Give the owner and the agent an offer that can be banked. Many buyers claim they will pay a certain amount for a property, but when they are called upon to do so, they vanish or the bank won\u2019t release the funds. If you turn your offer from verbal interest to legally binding, you up the ante on the competition. Sometimes, the lower offer secures the property because it\u2019s a solid deal as opposed to one subject to onerous finance conditions.<\/p>\n
Remain calm. Panic and emotion are your enemy in a competitive situation. This can be hard if you feel you are being lied to or deceived. If another buyer is prepared to pay more than you are willing or able to, emotionally let go of the property.<\/p>\n
If you are confused by the sudden interest in the home, aim to identify circuit breakers that may have caused the renewed interest. Has there been a recent price reduction or interest rate cut? Did a recent sale suddenly justify the vendor\u2019s price? Have the owners done some minor renovations or repairs that enhance the presentation. Has the market had a slight upturn in confidence?<\/p>\n
Some buyers will only act when they know that the property is in play. Many buyers will say to the agent, \u201cwe are interested, call us if someone makes an offer\u201d. Handling this type of buyer is tricky, because they are simply waiting for other buyers in the market to make a move and justify the vendor\u2019s price expectations. The agent handling the sale needs to be totally aware of this tactic that some savvy buyers employ.<\/p>\n
The first acceptable offer is the hardest to get onto the negotiating table. Once the agent is in possession of an acceptable offer and working toward closing the sale, the interested buyers on the sideline can be induced to making their move. This is when a seemingly sluggish campaign can suddenly come to life.<\/p>\n
When a property languishes on the market, it is usually because the owner is looking to sell above market price. To date, no buyers are prepared to pay above market price. If the market should rise by a percentage point or two, suddenly the overpriced home is well priced.<\/p>\n
Alternatively, where the owner is overpriced and unsold, should they adjust their price expectations down to the current market price, they will often attract multiple buyers. As a seller, you know you have hit market price when multiple buyers try and buy your home.<\/p>\n
When a property sits on the market for a period of time, buyers and neighbours will often ask themselves, \u201cI wonder what\u2019s wrong with it?\u201d<\/p>\n
This question can cause buyers to form harsh and incorrect assessment of the respective property.<\/p>\n
It can seem doubtful to watch a property flounder on the market only to be told there is another interested buyer, just as you make an offer. But that is often how it goes. Such examples are usually the result of a price drop, a slight increase in the market confidence or an improvement to the property.<\/p>\n
Yes, some agents will lie. They will say there is another buyer when there isn\u2019t. In nearly all circumstances, the agent\u2019s lie will come to the surface in time. Creating a non-existent buyer is the most incompetent negotiation tactic an agent can use. Just ask yourself, is what the agent telling you making sense? A fibbing agent will become obvious the more you engage with them.<\/p>\n
Agents will tell half truths, such as, another buyer offered more than what you have offered. The half truth being that the other buyer made the higher offer 6 weeks ago and has since bought elsewhere. Yes, welcome to real estate poker!<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, some agents will tell you the truth. Even though the home has been on the market for 3 months, there are now 3 buyers interested in buying it. Yes, it\u2019s enough to warm ol\u2019 Murphy\u2019s heart, for it can be said Murphy was a wise man.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"