Determining property value is an inexact science. There may be a range of value versus price. Fair market value is what a ready, willing and able Buyer is willing to pay from an arm’s length perspective. Final sales price is ultimately determined by the market – the Seller and the Buyer.
List Price
The price at which the seller lists the property for sale. It is the responsibility of the seller to determine the listing price of their property based upon sound advice from a real estate licensee.
Market Value
The most probable price a property should bring if exposed for sale in an open and competitive market, allowing a reasonable timeframe to find a buyer. Both parties are fully informed; neither is under undue influence.
Sale Price
Also known as “Market Price,” this is the price at which the property ultimately sells as determined by the cooperative efforts of the buyer and seller.
My Technique
I conduct a through competitive market analysis of the property you want to purchase as well as any comparable listings – ideally, within the last six months. I also analyze market conditions and trends to help you select a target price to offer for the home.
Take a look at your bargaining position. You are a strong contender if you don’t have another house to sell and if you are already fully approved for a mortgage (letter in hand!) or if you are a cash purchaser. A strong, clean contract is the indicator of a qualified Buyer who is prepared and ready to perform. This will favorably impress the seller and improve the power of your offer.
If this is the case, you may be able to negotiate downward, from list price. However, in a fast-paced competitive real estate market, you may want to offer the list price or better, to beat out any other early offers. It may be very helpful to find out as much as we can about the Seller’s situation and address their needs if possible in your offer.
It is my goal to develop a negotiating strategy that suits your needs and gives YOUR offer the highest probability of success.
Determining your primary objectives is critical to successful negotiating. Which of the following aspects of the property is most important to you?
___ Price
___ The Property Itself
___ Closing Date
___ Other Terms
Your main objective in constructing your offer to purchase is to purchase the home you want at the most favorable terms possible. The strategy is to make your offer as attractive to the Seller as possible while retaining key items for yourself.
Give the Sellers what is important to them in return for terms that are important to you. I will try to find out from the Listing Agent what the Seller’s critical needs are. If you can meet these, it gives the Seller a reason to accede to reasonable requests from you.
There are seven areas of negotiation in your offer:
Write a clear, concise offer.
The more difficult your offer is to understand, the more difficult it will be for the seller to accept. The local custom is to use the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) sales contract and amendments which are clear, concise, and well-recognized. I will be able to provide all of these when we write your offer.
Giving the seller everything, and more!
When competing against other offers, your only option may be to give the Seller everything and be willing to pay more than the asking price. I can also explain the use of escalation clauses in competitive situations.