First, Get an Agent.
If you are headstrong and you think you are going to navigate the rocky shoals of the 2021 Real Estate market all by yourself, knock yourself out. But while everyone else is locking in on their dream homes you will be able to triumphantly declare your total independence and statistically find yourself in the losing circle virtually 99 % of the time.
The next thing is getting pre-approved. Some buyers do this first and that is OK but without a written pre-approval, stop right here. REPEAT! Stop right here. Think of a pre-approval as your boarding pass on the plane. We know you’re terrific. But just like at the airport, you can wave your ticket to every TSA official at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, but here’s the inescapable reality. Without a boarding pass, “You ain’t getting nowhere near that stinkin plane. Likewise, I cannot imagine a seller who will even consider looking at your offer, unless you have a pre-approval in place. Some agent’s will simply dismiss you as not being serious. So as harsh as this sounds, please don’t bother wasting anyone’s time on this, especially your own. Oh, and if you are paying CASH, you had better be able to show proof of funds when you convey your offer. Nobody is taking anyone’s word on this anymore.
And lastly, make sure if you are living in 716 that you are working with a good, local, Real Estate attorney. They can be the best corporate attorneys in the world. They can be the most formidable criminal attorneys out there. They might even be your cousin Vinney, yikes, but Real Estate is a specialty. You need someone that does this everyday. Moreover, they need to be local. This may come as a shock to some of you, but the local market has some serious nuances and peculiarities that even the best NYC councilor won’t be tuned into and these can cost you some time or money and certainly add at least a bit of unnecessary aggravation to your transaction. Ok so eventually, it will all get figured out but why would you go out of your way to add to the frustration.
Those are the 3 things you will absolutely need to embrace as your key strategies if you are entering the super competitive market in the 716 world this year. Now, you don’t have to do it this way, but remember while you continue to do it your way and take the maverick approach, prices are continuing to rise and interest rates will be creeping up as well. On this last point, time is definitely not on your side. When agents hear buyers say things like “We are waiting for prices to come down and/or the interest rates to get better,” the nicest of them will simply shake their heads with a dismissive smile and move on and elect to work with serious buyers. As Don Corleone said,”It’s nothing personal, it’s business.”
But here’s a bonus suggestion. Listen to your agent like you would your doctor. If you don’t trust your doctor, get a different doctor. If you do trust them, take their advice. Listen to their recommendations. At the top of this blogpost I said the process was simple. It is. If you follow the process, as difficult as the procedure will show itself to be with limited inventory and frequent multiple offers, you will come out on the right side of the equation.
That’s the end of today’s sermonette. Now go out and buy a house.
About the Author:
Brendan J. Cunningham (SFR®), (SRES®)
Associate Broker. The “Platinum Team”His first book, (He is currently working on his 5th) TRICKS OF THE TRADE: A REAL ESTATE BROKER’S INSIDE ADVICE INTO BUYING AND SELLING A HOME (Adams, Media Corporation, Avon Ma. 2004) is a must read for any savvy real estate investor.
Brendan is a member of:
National Association of Realtors
New York State Association of Realtors
And he is also a member of the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors….
….where he has been quite active as Director, Treasurer and Vice President. He has served on over 30 committees over the years. He is a member of their faculty and the author of “Selling Real Estate in Volatile Times.” He holds The Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) and Short Sale and Foreclosure Specialist Designations (SFR®), and as the point person for the 716 Realty Group’s Platinum Team.
Brendan J. Cunningham
e. BCunningham@716RealtyGroup.com | p. 716-818-2526