Once you finally find the home you want, the process isn’t over quite yet. Next, you need to figure out how much you should offer on the house. While a Waltham Real Estate Agent can help give you insight, it’s also a good idea to do some research on your own. The most important part of your offer is the price and sometimes this can be the hardest part of the home buying process. Below are 3 questions to ask yourself (and your Waltham Realtor) to guide you in this process.
1. What have similar homes sold for?
Waltham Real Estate Agents suggest that the best place to start is to research similar homes in the area and see what they have recently sold for. Gather a list of recent, similar, and nearby home sales. When comparing these homes to the one you want to put an offer on consider the following:
- Location Construction type
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms
- Square footage
- Condition (new, updated, or needs to be updated)
All of this information can help you begin to put together a range of possible prices that you should offer. Your Waltham Realtor will be able to help you access all of this information.
2. How long has the home been on the market?
When figuring out your offer price, a factor you should consider is how long the home has been on the market. Waltham Real Estate Agents say the length of time a home has been on the market sometimes affects how much it's worth and will help give you insight on what to offer.
The longer a house has been on the market, the lower your offer can be. On the contrary, if a home has just been put on the market your offer price should usually be a little higher. If you offer too little on a newly listed home you are going to risk the seller turning down your offer for another one. However, if a home has been on the market for a while the seller will likely be more open for a lower price or some negotiation.
Keep in mind that some sellers are not in a rush, even if their home has been on the market for some time. Therefore, offering a price way below the asking price may not work for all homes. If you are interested in offering a price below the asking price, make sure to consult with your Waltham Real Estate Agent first to see how far under the price you should go.
3. What is the condition of the home?
This is likely obvious, but the condition of the home is an important factor in how much you should offer. A home that does not need much fixing will typically get higher offers than a home that needs work. Homes that need some work can be great opportunities to save money, however, make sure to consider how much work it needs and how much work you’re willing to put into it. Pay attention to these factors when evaluating a home:
- A damaged roof
- Cracks in the foundation
- Rusted plumbing fixtures
- Water damage on floors or walls
- Uneven floors
Contact A Waltham Realtor
At the end of the day, the ultimate goal is to come up with an offer that will win over the seller. Figuring out the right price to offer can take some time but it doesn’t need to be too difficult. With the help of a Waltham Real Estate Agent you’ll be able to figure out the perfect price to offer that will give you the best chance at getting your dream home. Contact Waltham Realtor, Hans Brings, today to get started in your home buying process! 617-968-0022