Finally, you have found a house worthy of making your first offer, or you have made offers and they have all been outbid or rejected. UGH, that hurts and is literally the worst thing ever!
The way you should present an offer that is going to make sellers grin from ear to ear is by following the steps below.
Side Note: This does not guarantee your offer gets accepted, but it will definitely be a top contender!
I personally call the listing agent directly, if you are not an agent then it would not be okay for you to call the agent. Have your agent call them directly.
The number one question I always ask is if there is anything particular that the seller is looking for in the offer?
Obviously, price is a BIG factor, but not all sellers care solely about the price. Some are in a rush to move wherever they need to go, others may need more time if they haven't found their new home yet or if it's currently being built! There are so many reasons a seller may need to rush or slow down the closing date! So be sure to ask that big question.
The second question you should ask is if they have any other concerns about the deal, are there any deal breakers, are they requesting the inspection is for informational purposes only, are there certain dates they want to be sped up or slowed down, etc. The more you keep the agent talking the more information you will learn from those sellers, so be sure the agent is listening closely!
While your agent is working on preparing the offer and gathering all the intel from the seller, you have some homework to do! I would draft up a personal letter about you and your family. It will be directed to the seller so be sure to share a little bit about you and your family. Why you MUST have that house and all the amazing things they already have ready and waiting for you. Also, it doesn't hurt to add some nostalgia to the piece. Let them know you grew up in the area or your family is from there, your grandmother lives down the street, whatever it is, make sure it's true. Sometimes it's about the school in the area and the amount of travel time to and from work, which will increase your time with family. There are so many heartfelt things you can add to tug at the heartstrings. Romance the sellers into falling in love with you, you may even add a photo of your family in the offer letter. You can handwrite it but make sure it's legible and not too small in print.
Also if you are the agent, make sure to look in MLS for any documents they may have attached to the listing. Things such as sellers disclosures, lead paint, upgrades, or utility info. The good agents add everything to the MLS Paperclip so the consumer and the agents have all they need to know about the house upfront. Pay attention to the small details, it can literally make or break a deal. And I am NOT joking about this!
I once had a stubborn seller and stubborn buyer not BUDGE on $1,000.00 it was ridiculous! I also had a coworker lose a deal over a washer and dryer, or a fixture on the wall. Remember this is usually a very stressful time for sellers and buyers, it's a lot of money, and sometimes it's the biggest purchase or sale of their lives, they tend to be a little cray-cray.
I wish you the best of luck with your next offer!
Your Realtor,