You might know this already, but as a prospective buyer, you have an advantage in a down market. However, this doesn’t mean that you’re guaranteed to get that one property you want.
When real estate sales are slow and there is an excess of homes for sale, buyers have a chance to pick up a property cheaper. The operative word here is “opportunity”. There are times when you should dive and times when you should show self-control and avoid buying on impulse. Knowing the difference will save you thousands of dollars.
Start by doing research. You probably already have an idea what you want, but this shouldn’t mean that you should just walk into a transaction blindly.Search the internet for listings, inquire with a real estate agent and check the local newspapers to gain insight on a particular zone. Many real estate agents make their listings available on the internet. The objective of this research is to get to know the price range for an area you want to buy a property in. This will give you a sense of what a low price would be for your desired area.
Look for motivated sellers. Motivated can provide you additional bargaining power. For example, if the home has been on the market for several months, has undergone some price reductions, and/or is unoccupied, this shows the seller is looking to sell as fast as possible. In these types of situation, it makes sense to ask whether the seller will add any extras that you like. The seller ca also be asked to cover closing costs, whether in full or in part. And yes, the listing price is always negotiable as well.
Negotiate with the realtor. When houses are selling at slowly, it means that many realtors are also struggling. In these situations, both agents and firms may be more motivated to knock a couple of percentage point or two off of their commission schedules to finalise a deal.
Since it’s the seller’s job to pay the realtor, you should also consider their commission. The upshot is that the commission is part of the price. You may (kindly) ask your real estate agent to request about reducing it; this could mean a better deal for you, plus it may also ease the deal from the seller’s perspective.
Don’t Be Afraid to Walk Away.Real estate prices typically drop as inventory increases. There are many choices available during a down market. If you are not getting the deal you deserve, don’t be afraid to walk away, and start looking at the next property on your list. Alwaysstick to the price you had decided the home was worth; if you can’t make the deal, you can just try again next time.
Where to start looking for a home?
That’s the real question here, isn’t it? Purchasing a Lendlease home in the Melbourne region is a good starting point as prices in these communities are still low, which means you get the pay less, get more and save in the long run. Check it out.
End Note
Remember that in a down market, it is you – the buyer – that has the power. Some sellers don’t understand that the market is down, and will not accept any offers less than what they feel their home is worth, but there’s you and your agent who can sway the situation in your favour.At the end of the day, you will get what you want because you have the power.