Over the last few months, estate agents have noticed a shift in the pendulum away from sellers and towards buyers for the first time in the last five years.
A relatively static House Price Index, combined with significantly lower mortgage rates compared to a year ago, has made buying a house more appealing, especially with the promise of an increased supply of affordable housing on the horizon, helping to alleviate the issues of extreme competition.
In the meantime, however, it is important to be as appealing a buyer as possible, and this does not just mean offering the best price for a property.
Sometimes, the best approach and the best buyer is not necessarily the highest bidder, but the right fit for the property and someone who has the ability to close the sale sooner rather than later.
Here are some top tips to make yourself the most attractive buyer possible.
Become A Power Buyer
One of the biggest causes of sales falling through is the reverberating effects of a property chain. Because you are waiting for the results of other sales, if someone has to pull out of a sale further down the chain, it could create a ripple effect that scuppers your attempts to buy.
The less reliant you are on a chain, the more attractive you are as a buyer. If you can afford to buy now, you are considered to be a “power buyer” and have a lot of power in negotiations.
Write A Personal Letter
Sometimes, a personal touch can tug at the heartstrings and convince a seller that you have fallen in love with a particular home and that you are going to make the most of it.
We are all human, after all, and if there are very similar offers without much to separate them, it could be the final flourish that gets you over the finishing line.
Get Your Paperwork Ready
Having an agreement in principle, your ID and filling out any required forms makes it clear that you are committed and ready to buy now and not later.