Susan Kelly
Dec 29, 2022
Purchasing a home in a competitive housing market requires persistence and patience. Having the help of a knowledgeable buyer's agent is also a plus. As a buyer in a competitive real estate market with low inventory, you may feel like you're riding an emotional roller coaster. Even though it's more difficult to get an offer accepted on a home you love in a strong seller's market, it's still possible to do so.
Experts use the number of months of unsold inventory to determine whether a housing market is active. Though it's unlikely that there will be no new construction or listings, this metric is still a good indicator of the housing market.
Over the past few years, much of the United States has remained a seller's market due to a lack of available homes and insufficient levels of new construction. These patterns have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reduced the number of sellers offering their homes for sale while, at the same time, new construction has failed to keep up with the rising demand.
The National Association of Realtors reported a two-month shortage of preexisting homes in March 2022. (down year-over-year from a 2.1-month supply in March 2021 and month-over-month from a 1.7-month supply in February 2022).
There is no room for indecision in a brisk seller's market. Even in the hottest market, if you follow these steps, you'll have a much better chance of securing the home of your dreams with minimal hassle.
Hiring a real estate agent can help you save time and money when selling or purchasing a home. The best real estate agents will inform you about new listings as soon as they come out, if not before. They are also experts at making their client's offers stand out. Having a quality buyer's agent on your side is invaluable, especially in a competitive market.
Dream homes often come to mind early on in the home-buying process. It's normal to have some reluctance to settle after touring many homes, and investing in a "good enough" property that doesn't drain your savings account can set you on the path to realising numerous goals. This is a better option if you're in a hurry to buy a house.
The pre-approval process is time-consuming. A lender may take a few days to a few weeks to verify your financial information. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage loan should be your first step so that you have leverage when making an offer on the house. Get preapproval from a minimum of three different mortgage providers and shop around for the best interest rate. Obtaining Official Loan Estimates will allow you to compare interest rates and fees to find the best possible loan terms.
If you're competing with other offers or a cash offer, the sellers will want proof that you're serious about closing the deal. Benefit from the preapproval by elaborating on your creditworthiness. The possibility of a greater down payment is also appealing to sellers.
Because of the high demand in the market, you may be tempted to forego a house inspection. Don't jump to conclusions! A home inspection is a great way to find out about the health of your home and its components. You should know the short- and long-term costs associated with necessary repairs, maintenance, and other expenses. If serious problems arise, you need an escape from under the contract (like dry rot or structural damage).
Purchasing a property in a competitive housing market requires persistence and patience. Consider making a bid out of desperation or giving up if you've been looking for a while or missed out on several homes. Stop doing both!
There is no need for more anxiety when purchasing a house in a seller's market. Applying the aforementioned advice will put you in a stronger position to achieve your goals. Boundary Title &'' Escrow is available to assist you with the escrow process alongside your real estate agent. And when you do locate that perfect home, you can rest assured that you've done everything in your power to secure it.
We hope you find the following information useful and remind you that it is being supplied free of charge for educational purposes. It would help if you spoke with a title expert for information applicable to your circumstances.