Today’s market is still competitive in many areas because the supply of homes for sale is still low. If you’re looking to buy a home this season, know that the peak frenzy of bidding wars is in the rearview mirror, but you may still come up against some multiple-offer scenarios.

Here are a few things to consider to help you put your best foot forward when making an offer on a home.

1. Lean on a Real Estate Professional Like Me
As a Realtor, I can support your goals and help you understand what’s happening in today’s housing market. Agents are experts in the local market and on the national trends too. We use both of those areas of expertise to make sure you have all the information you need to move with confidence.

Plus, we know what’s worked for other buyers in your area and what sellers may be looking for in an offer. It may seem simple, but catering to what a seller needs can help your offer stand out.

As an article from Forbes says:
"Getting to know a local realtor where you’re hoping to buy can also potentially give you a crucial edge in a tight housing market."

2. Get Pre-Approved for a Home Loan
Having a clear budget in mind is especially important right now given the current affordability challenges. The best way to get a clear picture of what you can borrow is to work with a lender so you can get pre-approved for a home loan.

That will help you be more financially confident because you’ll have a better understanding of your numbers. It shows sellers you’re serious, too. And that can give you a competitive edge if you do get into a multiple-offer scenario.

3. Make a Fair Offer
It’s only natural to want the best deal you can get on a home. However, submitting an offer that’s too low does have some risks. You don’t want to make an offer that will be tossed out as soon as it’s received just to see if it sticks.

As Realtor.com explains:
“. . . an offer price that’s significantly lower than the listing price, is often rejected by sellers who feel insulted . . . Most listing agents try to get their sellers to at least enter negotiations with buyers, to counteroffer with a number a little closer to the list price. However, if a seller is offended by a buyer or isn’t taking the buyer seriously, there’s not much you, or the real estate agent, can do.”The expertise your agent brings to this part of the process will help you stay competitive and find a price that’s fair to you and the seller.

4. Trust Your Agent’s Expertise Throughout Negotiations
During the rush of recent years of the housing market, some buyers skipped home inspections or didn’t ask for concessions from the seller in order to submit the winning bid on a home.

An article from Bankrate explains this isn’t happening as often today, and that’s good news:
“While the market has largely calmed down since then, sellers are still very much in the driver’s seat in this era of scarce housing inventory. It’s not as common for buyers to waive inspections anymore, but it does still happen. . . . It’s in the buyer’s best interest to have a home inspected . . . Inspections alert you to existing or potential problems with the home, giving you not just an early heads up but also a useful negotiating tactic.”

Fortunately, today’s market is different, and you may have more negotiating power than before. When putting together an offer, your trusted real estate advisor will help you think through what levers to pull and which ones you may not want to compromise on.

Bottom Line
When you buy a home this summer, let’s connect so you have an expert on your side who can help you make your best offer. I would love to hear from you.

Home Prices, Inventory Rise as Market
Activity Warms in June 
Despite several year-over-year decreases across key housing market indicators in June, sales activity showed signs of warming up. Inventory experienced a slight increase over the previous month, with a modest upturn in the Minnesota housing market. 

“We were encouraged by the increase in market activity last month,” said Emily Green, President of Minnesota Realtors®. “Prospective buyers adjusted to the higher mortgage rates and demand remained strong. We witnessed healthy competition for properties, with multiple offers in some areas.”


June Year-Over-Year Summary of Key Market Indicators: 

• Closed sales: 7,776 (down 17.4%) 
• Median sales price: $350,000 (up 1.4%)
• Average sales price: $405,952 (up 0.9%)
• New listings: 9,822 (down 15.3%)
• Pending sales: 7,345 (down 10.2%)
• Days on the market: 29 (up 20.8%)
• Homes for sale: 12,067 (down 9.3%)