The key to making a successful offer? Finding the best real estate agent near me

If you find yourself wondering how to buy a home in Brambleton, Ashburn, Aldie, Loudoun County or the Northern Virginia surrounding area, it's important to work with a Realtor who is familiar with your area. If you are looking in the area, then I'm the answer to your search"the best real estate agent near me"!

Start your home search by finding a good Realtor

In a real estate transaction, your offer (or the buyer’s offer, if you’re the seller) marks the beginning of a back-and-forth between you and the buyer/seller, typically with a real estate agents advising each of you. We’ll talk about the offer the from the buyer’s point of view, when your goal is to “make them an offer they can’t refuse” [Godfather voice].

Here are 4 tips to make a great offer.

An accepted offer become a contract

Tip #1 - Know your non-negotiables and be willing to walk away

Not only do you have to know what you won't accept, but you also have to be willing to walk away if those needs are not met.

If you absolutely are not interested in a fixer-upper, and the inspection comes back with repairs that the sellers are not willing to make, then you may need to walk away. Have confidence that if this negotiation does not work out, you will be able to find another home.

Necessary repairs may be a dealbreaker

Tip #2 - Find "the best real estate agent near me"

You need a good Realtor who also knows your area. Your job is to know yourself–your lifestyle, budget, and the number in mind that you absolutely cannot go above. Your agent's job is to understand the market, understand your goals, and put those together to advise you on how to craft an offer.

Lean on your agent to write a strong offer and use their expertise on which levers you can pull to make your offer as enticing as possible. One option is to wave some of your contract contingencies (conditions you set that the seller must meet for the purchase to be finalized). Just remember there are certain contingencies you don’t want to give up, like the home inspection. (NAR)

Work with a REALTOR familiar with your area

Tip #3 - Think outside the box

Consider more than just the sales price. While you should stick to your budget, you can include items in your offer that aren't related to price but could be attractive to the seller.

On price: Homes have a listing price. As the buyer, your offer will include an offer price. Your Realtor will help you determine whether the seller’s listing price is fair by running comps (or comparables), a process that involves comparing the house you’re bidding on to similar properties that recently sold in the neighborhood, and they can also advice you on things to put in your offer besides the purchase price. Several factors can also affect your bargaining position and offer price. For example, if the home has been sitting on the market for a while or you’re in a buyer’s market where supply exceeds demand, the seller may be willing to accept an offer that’s below the list price. Or if the seller has already received another offer on the home, that may impact the price you’re willing to offer. Your agent will help you understand the context here.

On downpayments: For conventional loans, making a 20% down payment enables borrowers to avoid having to pay private mortgage insurance or PMI, a monthly premium that protects the lender in case the borrower defaults on the loan, but 20% isn’t always feasible — or even necessary.

In fact, the median down payment in 2021 for buyers overall was 13%, and 7% for first-time buyers, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Your lender will help you determine what the best down payment amount is for your finances.

Tip #4 - Make sure you read and understand the fine print

Writing your offer or reading any counteroffers that come back, make sure you understand what it says and means. Your Realtor should be able to explain anything that doesn't make sense. Items that might stand out: any exclusions or inclusions like appliances or light fixtures, the timeline when the Seller is going to move out or possibly rent back, and any contingencies, such as financing or appraisal, that could possibly hold up the deal.

Find the right Realtor

Ensuring you have a pleasant transaction depends on having a real estate agent that is personable, honest and trustworthy and knows Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Brambleton, Ashburn, Aldie and the surrounding area.

Get in Touch