You won’t find a sign in the front yard that says, “great deal today.” I was showing a house to a client, the seller answered the door, handed us an info sheet and said “and we will take less then what the sheet indicates.” Clearly they were packed and ready to go but stuck in their current situation. To get a great deal on a home two things have to happen.
- You have to be prepared to buy. If you aren't prepared to buy you may not be able to take advantage of a good deal. Or you may not even be able to recognize a good deal when you see it. Being prepared means:
- Having your finances prepared
- Know the market and what you need to spend to get what you want
- Understand the compromises you will have to make
- Learn about the market you are interested in so you will know the value of homes
- You have to be lucky. There is no secret skill in getting a great deal on a home. You mostly have to be at the right place at the right time. Most importantly you have to be able to recognize and then take advantage of the opportunity when it presents itself.
To have a chance at a great deal you have to be prepared before you start looking to buy. If you have a competent agent they will educate you about the market and value before you start. But you also have to be ready to buy. These are issues like;down payment, your credit score, when your lease expires and timing.
