Three Quick Tips That Could Save You Thousands

Often other terms, such as the strength of the buyer or the length of escrow, are critical to a seller. This process takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on your situation. It’s VERY POWERFUL and a weapon we recommend all of our clients have in their negotiating arsenal.

Play the Game of Nines

Before house hunting, make a list of nine things you want in the new place. Then make a list of the nine things you don’t want. We call this Nine of This and None of That.

You can use this list as a scorecard to rate each property you see. The one with the biggest score wins! This helps avoid confusion and keeps things in perspective when you’re comparing dozens of homes.

When house hunting, keep in mind the difference between skin and bones. The bones are things that cannot be changed such as the location, view, size of lot, noise in the area, school district, and floor plan. The skin represents easily changed surface finishes like carpet, wallpaper, color, and window coverings. Buy the house with good bones, because the skin can always be changed to match your tastes. I always recommend that you imagine each house as if it were vacant. Consider each house on its underlying merits, not the seller’s decorating skills.

Don’t Be Pushed Into Any House

Your agent should show you everything available that meets your requirements. Don’t make a decision on a house until you feel that you’ve seen enough to pick the best one. Review the Multiple Listing printout with your agent to make sure that you are getting a COMPLETE list.