Partner with a Realtor^® - Realtors have access to the latest and most up-to-date listings and they can help buyers find available properties and make sense of the financing options.  Realtors can also advise you on home prices as well as handle the composition and presentation of any offers.  In addition, Realtors assist with negotiating and the myriad of details that lead to a successful closing.

Get a Mortgage Pre-approval; Real Estate Attorney - Obtaining a loan pre-approval indicates that a buyer is serious and can make a firm commitment on an offer.  In fact, many of today’s sellers require that pre-approvals accompany any offer.  In addition, you should interview and choose a real estate attorney so you won’t have to make a rush decision to handle the attorney review, contract or closing. 

Frequently Communicate with Your Realtor – Provide home, work and cell phone numbers as well as email addresses and prioritize them in order of most frequently answered.  Be flexible and prompt when Realtors call with a new property listing that matches your needs - waiting until the weekend is often too late.  When making an offer, negotiations almost always follow and time is of the essence.  You’ll want to make sure you’re available to discuss terms with your Realtor and present a counter-offer as quickly as possible. 

Be Ready to Buy – When you find that desired house, be ready to make an offer.  Often in the Bergen County Area, a delay of even one day can be too long and could result in the loss of the property to another buyer.

Bid Competitively – While it may be appealing to start low to get a deal, this is not always a good idea in a competitive market.  If the bid is too far below asking price, the seller is likely to quickly reject the offer and move on to the next buyer.  Your Realtor can advise on bidding based on your financial position, market conditions and similarly priced homes that have recently sold.

Minimize Restrictions – Placing restrictions on your offer such as needing to sell your home first or delaying the closing date can make an offer unappealing to the seller.  Talk to your Realtor for possible alternate solutions if either of these conditions apply to you.

Don’t Be Too Flexible – Sellers can sometimes pressure buyers into being flexible on certain issues in exchange for acceptance of the offer.  While the Realtor can advise a buyer, the end decision ultimately rests with you.  Be sure not to compromise on the home inspection.  Doing so could result in unexpected costly problems following the transaction.