If I Can, I Will

Three of my last four transactions have been competitive offer situations: more than one buyer making offers on the same property.

For two of these transactions I was representing the buyer.  Both times I called the listing agent to say we wanted to make an offer and they said they were in mid-negotiation with an existing offer.  I was able to get a very good offer written with my buyer, get it submitted, do some quick last-minute negotiation, get that accepted and ratified.  This required that my buyers clearly understood the situation and were aggressive in their offers.  It also required 10pm meetings to write and sign offers, and driving to their homes at night to get final initials. 

For another transaction I was the listing agent representing the seller.  We had received an offer that was at list but had other issues: tiny earnest money, VA loan which is riskier when it comes to appraisals.  The other offer was also at list but huge earnest money and conventional loan.  Just for the record, in a situation like this, the commission that Long & Foster and I would have earned is exactly the same amount.  So my efforts were 100% based upon looking out for the best interest of my client. 

Reflecting on these heart-pounding transactions, I honestly feel badly for the other parties who lost.  At the same time, I was able to make my clients ecstatic by helping them get the homes they want, or the sale they want.  

There are many reasons why I can't win for my clients.  My clients don't have quite enough total resources (cash on hand plus approved loan amount).  They need more seller subsidy.  They aren't using a conventional loan, or sometimes we're competing with cash offers.  But if there is a chance at success, I won't give up.  I'll convince the other agent to keep working with me.  I'll keep gentle pressure on my clients to move forward quickly if they really want the deal. 

If you have a house to sell I'll do everything I can to get it exposed to the broadest market and bring in the best price.  If you want to buy a home, and have the resources to do that, I'll do all that I can to help you win!