Are you considering the purchase of real estate? Perhaps you are ready to browse the Featured listings for a new home, search the Multi List Service, or receive more listings by e-mail. However, if you are searching for more information on the process of home buying, you can browse this library of real estate tips. Please note that these tips have been deemed reliable, yet are not guaranteed for every circumstance. Feel free to contact me, If you would like more information or you are ready to take the next step.

When you find the right home, what can you do to maximize your chances of actually getting it? The first step you should take is to make a prompt offer.

Whether you are in a buyers' or sellers' market, taking too much time to initiate an offer can cost you money, especially if you are planning to offer less than the asking price or will be asking for special terms. If your offer is the only one on the table, the sellers will consider it, and if they don't accept it, they may make a good counter offer. While you are "sleeping on it", however, you risk the possibility of another offer coming in. If another buyer appears on the scene, you lose an important advantage while you and the sellers are going back and forth with offers and counter offers. A buyer who really wants that special house will make the best possible offer --as quickly as possible.

As a home buyer, you may have found the perfect new house for your growing family, but what if it is a little out of your price range? You might list your current home for more than it is worth and be lucky enough to find a qualified buyer who is willing to pay the price, but it is impossible to know in advance what your home will sell for.

If you want to sell your home quickly, have a frank and detailed conversation with Tod to determine the best price for the house. Setting your price within 5% of the fair market value of your home greatly increases your chances of getting solid offers that will result in a relatively quick sale.

Don't buy and sell so close to your target amount that you become anxious when the numbers aren't as close as you would like them to be. There may be other ways to increase your buying power and get you into that new home, such as adjustable rate mortgages or owner financing. When you are selling one home and buying another, you will need more than good luck. You will need a highly professional real estate agent who can give you solid advice on how to make the transaction work for your particular requirements. I would be glad to fill that roll for you!