Now that spring's rolled around, more buyers are getting back into the market, and things are definitely starting to heat up out there!

 

If you're serious about finding a home you love, having a wish list isn’t enough—you need a solid game plan. That starts with teaming up with a great agent who can help you craft a strong, competitive offer.

 

Here are some go-to tips your agent will walk you through—these are the strategies helping buyers stand out and score the win in today’s competitive market.

 

It might be tempting to kick things off with a really low offer to try and save some cash—but in a hot spring market, that move can backfire. If your offer isn’t in the right ballpark, you could end up turning off the seller and losing the home to someone with a stronger bid. Like NerdWallet puts it:

 

“If you really want the property, you should avoid offending the seller. So, be wary of placing a so-called lowball offer. One of the most obvious risks of making a lowball offer is outright rejection. . . As a buyer, you’ll need to find a balance between making a fair offer and running the risk of losing the property.”

Your agent’s got the inside scoop on local pricing trends and can help you figure out what a fair—but still competitive—offer looks like this season.

 

If you’re concerned about other offers coming in, an escalation clause might be a smart move. It basically says that if another buyer makes a higher offer, yours will automatically go up—up to a limit you’re comfortable with. It’s a great way to stay competitive without overpaying right out of the gate. Investopedia breaks it down like this:

 

“An escalation clause is a way to automatically escalate your bid by a certain dollar amount, up to a certain ceiling, to compete with other bids.”

Chat with your agent to see if this strategy makes sense for your situation and budget. Just make sure you’re not stretching past what you’re really comfortable spending—and that the home is likely to appraise close to what you’re offering.

 

If the appraisal comes in lower than your offer, you might have to cover the difference out of your own pocket. Your agent can help you assess the risks and figure out the best approach based on your situation.

 

While some concessions, like asking for help with closing costs, might be on the table, making too many requests could make your offer seem less appealing compared to another buyer’s cleaner one. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) points out:

 

“There are many factors up for discussion in any real estate transaction—from price to repairs to possession date. A real estate professional who’s representing you will look at the transaction from your perspective, helping you negotiate a purchase agreement that meets your needs . . .”

An agent who’s familiar with what’s working for other buyers in your area can help you focus on the most important requests and steer clear of ones that might turn the seller off.

 

Sometimes, it’s not just about the price—it’s also about timing. Does the seller need more time to move out, or are they looking to sell quickly? If you can be flexible with your timeline, it could give you an edge over other buyers. Adjusting your timing (if it works for you) might help your offer stand out. As Atlas Van Lines explains:

 

“Everyone will have a unique timeline depending on the size of the move, the distance they are moving from or to, and personal preferences. It is important to be flexible and adapt the timeline as needed while ensuring you allocate enough time for each step.”

Your agent can reach out to the seller’s agent to get a sense of what’s most important to them, including timing.

 

Spring is here, and more buyers are jumping into the market. Let’s team up to make sure your offer really stands out!

 

What’s the one thing you’d like to feel sure about before making an offer this spring?