Buying That Perfect Home in Elk Grove

Matching first-time home buyers  for a home in Elk Grove with an experienced real estate agent is a brilliant way to pair the innocence of younger buyers with the wisdom of the grouchy. Because an experienced agent will just lay it on the line. Buy the damn house before somebody else snatches it from you, we’ll tell buyers. Why would we be so direct whereas another type of Elk Grove real estate agent might suggest buyers go home and sleep on this monumental decision?

Several reasons. First, been there and done that — painfully watched buyers lose the home of their dreams. It’s not true that every suburban house, for example, looks alike. Homes in Elk Grove differ from each other, sometimes dramatically, including location. Which is the second reason. When a house is special, generally agents can spot it way before the buyer will realize it.

I’ve talked with agents who know that their buyer is making a mistake when writing an offer to buy a home. The buyer either takes too long to reach the conclusion that an offer should be presented, or the buyer often doesn’t offer enough to beat out competition. Buyers don’t seem to get it that if they are out looking at homes, other buyers are, too. If they like a home in Elk Grove, other buyers will like it, too. These agents silently hope the buyer will learn the lesson early on and not get mad at the agent when the offer is too low and unacceptable.

Sometimes, listing agents will suggest a seller set a date for reviewing offers, but that strategy can backfire. It can also cause buyers who otherwise might have paid more not to make an offer. In today’s Elk Grove real estate market, it is better for sellers to deal with the offers as they arrive. If the home in Elk Grove is very desirable, priced right and comes on the market at the opportune time with a huge splash, that home will attract multiple offers without advertising for it.

If you see such a home, don’t go home to sleep on it. Ask your agent to call the listing agent and find out how many offers the seller has received. Write the very best offer that you can, and don’t hope, for goodness sake, that you can offer list price and buy the home. It doesn’t matter if the offer to purchase is cash, either.

Let’s just put it this way. You would be amazed at how many buyers in the $500K and up market are paying cash right now. They are not screwing around with non-conforming loans or whining about fluctuating interest rates. They are offering to pay all of the seller’s closing costs and paying over list price, when the home in Elk Grove warrants it. (That “when” is the important factor. Most homes sell for less. Look to your agent for guidance.)

If you know that you can put your lips together and blow to whistle, you are savvy enough to buy that home of your dreams. Just do it.