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Buying? Selling? The pitfalls to avoid in real estate

A brand-new listing attracts the most buyers during the first week to 10 days of being listed.

High prices and tight inventory has cut into the booming US real estate market. — © AFP
High prices and tight inventory has cut into the booming US real estate market. — © AFP

The old adage in real estate, when it comes to the three most important factors when buying a home, are location, location, and location. However, there is a little more too it than this and both buyers and sellers need to focus on the key points.

Long-time industry veteran Barbara Fox of Fox Residential tells Digital Journal how buyers and sellers alike are finding success amid limited inventory and heightened interest.

For buyers, Fox recommends:

Act with speed, precision, and purpose.

The old adage in real estate, when it comes to the three most important factors when buying a home, are location, location, and location. However, there is a little more too it than this and both buyers and sellers need to focus on the key points.

Long-time industry veteran Barbara Fox of Fox Residential tells Digital Journal how buyers and sellers alike are finding success amid limited inventory and heightened interest.

For buyers, Fox recommends:

Act with speed, precision, and purpose.

Do not delay on a property that checks all (or even nearly all) of the boxes. Get in to see the apartment early and come with anyone else who will also need to weigh in on the decision.

Ask all of your questions on the spot, including if there are offers already on the table.

Don’t play the negotiating game unless you’re prepared to lose.

We recently represented the sale of a beautifully renovated larger apartment in a great building that garnered immediate interest and attention. The very first people who saw the apartment had been looking for a while. They knew the building and liked the apartment.

Wasting no time, they placed an asking price offer plus the flip tax and won the bid while other buyers were still requesting follow up visits and toying around with negotiations.

Don’t be afraid of a bidding war, someone has to win, and it should be you!

Offer the highest price that you would ever possibly pay for that property. Hindsight is 20/20, if you lose the bidding war by any amount of money, you won’t be kicking yourself for not going higher.

And for sellers, Fox recommends:

Make sure the property shows at its absolute best, even if it means spending some money.

Every inch of the home should be cleaned, closets thinned out, lightbulbs changed, and a fresh coat of paint will do wonders. Recognizing that your taste will not necessarily be the taste of the best buyer, enlist the help of a stager to neutralize the décor and adjust the energy of the home.

Don’t be afraid to accept the first offer, it is frequently the best offer you’ll receive.

A brand-new listing attracts the most buyers during the first week to 10 days of being listed. As the days on market tick up, activity generally falls off.

Don’t be greedy.

In a competitive market, sellers should consider the total package and

prioritize the best offer from the most qualified buyer. Doing so will streamline financing, and in NYC real estate, especially with co-op sales, the qualifications of your buyer are of utmost importance.

Get in to see the apartment early and come with anyone else who will also need to weigh in on the decision.

Ask all of your questions on the spot, including if there are offers already on the table.

Don’t play the negotiating game unless you’re prepared to lose.

We recently represented the sale of a beautifully renovated larger apartment in a great building that garnered immediate interest and attention. The very first people who saw the apartment had been looking for a while. They knew the building and liked the apartment.

Wasting no time, they placed an asking price offer plus the flip tax and won the bid while other buyers were still requesting follow up visits and toying around with negotiations.

Don’t be afraid of a bidding war, someone has to win, and it should be you!

Offer the highest price that you would ever possibly pay for that property. Hindsight is 20/20, if you lose the bidding war by any amount of money, you won’t be kicking yourself for not going higher.

And for sellers, Fox recommends:

Make sure the property shows at its absolute best, even if it means spending some money.

Every inch of the home should be cleaned, closets thinned out, lightbulbs changed, and a fresh coat of paint will do wonders. Recognizing that your taste will not necessarily be the taste of the best buyer, enlist the help of a stager to neutralize the décor and adjust the energy of the home.

Don’t be afraid to accept the first offer, it is frequently the best offer you’ll receive.

A brand-new listing attracts the most buyers during the first week to 10 days of being listed. As the days on market tick up, activity generally falls off.

Don’t be greedy.

In a competitive market, sellers should consider the total package and

prioritize the best offer from the most qualified buyer. Doing so will streamline financing, and in NYC real estate, especially with co-op sales, the qualifications of your buyer are of utmost importance.

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Written By

Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news. Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.

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