About Washington County, WI

Buyer Beware - Of Other Buyers!

You've found your dream house, so you'll make an acceptable offer and live happily ever after... unless another buyer beats you to the punch! In a competitive marketplace, this can not only happen but will happen! That's why it's important to make sure your offer strategy includes a strong stance against other potential buyers and their offers.

You've been blessed with a buyer's market for the last 4 years and now you want to cash in. First of all, the market is heating up and in a competitive market with relatively few quality properties available, "dream home" category homes will become hot properties---often as soon as the for-sale is planted in the yard. Most buyers want to purchase a home that requires very little fix-up.

Second, in an active market, timing is everything. In the good old days (yesterday), you might have the luxury of viewing a home several times---even dragging your relatives to see it before you actually made an offer. "He/she who hesitates is lost" aptly explains buyers who dally to make a buying decision today.

And don't forget that being pre-approved for a loan has leveled the playing field for a

majority of buyers. If they're all equally qualified financially, the best offer (as interpreted by the seller) gets the property.

So what can you do to arm yourself to the teeth with added value to capture a seller and counteract offers from other buyers? First, make sure you are financially pre-approved by a lender for the loan you'll need and be prepared to document this fact to a seller if requested. In fact, many lenders provide pre-approval certificates to buyers, a copy of which could be presented to the seller.

Be honest with the seller about your interest in purchasing the property. This doesn't necessarily mean that you won't negotiate a fair purchase; but it also doesn't mean that you'll act nonchalant and non-committal either. Sellers often choose one buyer's offer over another based on the level of personal interest and commitment the buyer appears to have to the seller's home.

Lastly, make sure you fully communicate the desired outcome to the real estate agent

you're working with. If he/she is a buyer's agent, negotiating on your behalf, outline to the agent just how much you want this house and what you're willing to do to get it. The

agent will then evaluate the best tack to take in terms of price, purchase terms and

negotiating tactics to help you realize that goal.

The next time you're inclined to wonder what evil trick the seller might be up to, better

look behind you first... to see if other buyers are trying to pull the rug out from under your dream home!

I just read the Blog from Cindy Westfall in Portland Metro "An ActiveRain Meetup With the Man Behind the Red Corvette..AKA Mr. List It"
http://actvra.in/tJ7

I meet a lot of people and I always say that if my garage is open and you see my mini van, stop over and say hi. One time unbeknownst to me, the folks I said that to were from a local church and they stopped by every other Saturday for 7 years to preach the word.

So the offer stands that if you're ever coming to The Milwaukee Metro area just drop me a note and we'll have coffee at the local Starbucks,

I'd love to have you!

Thanks Mr List It and Cindy for the great idea and good blog.

Kevin

Local Germantown WI Resident and Realtor Celebrates 15 years in business.

Local resident and community volunteer Kevin Nash (aka knash.com) is celebrating his 15 year anniversary helping people move in and out of Germantown and the Metro Milwaukee area.

Originally born in a Chicago suburb, Nash and wife Donna moved to Wisconsin in 1993 where they landed in Kenosha from ’93 to ‘96 where their two children were born. When an opportunity developed for Donna to work at BRIO corp. in Germantown, the family then moved to Germantown in 1997. During that time, Kevin went back to school to get licensed in real estate and in February of 1998 Kevin began working for Coldwell Banker in Menomonee Falls and now works for Shorewest Realtors since 2009.

“From the start, Kevin was passionate about real estate” says Donna Nash, wife to Kevin for almost 23 years. When we began looking for a home back then, something just clicked and he knew that real estate was what he wanted to do. So he interviewed several local companies and has been selling real estate ever since. Kevin has always been a technology geek too. When the industry changed to a more computer based foundation, Kevin was able to lead the way, so well in fact that he has been awarded national service awards every year he has practiced real estate, not an easy task.

“I love real estate”, Nash states emphatically. Sure my hours are weird, nights weekends and in between but I meet a ton of people and I get to see some of the coolest homes around. I provide a service that demands I be there when people need me the most and I try to deliver. Nash also says that because of his flexible schedule he has never missed a single school event, play or activity whcn my kids were small.

The community has also benefited from the efforts of Kevin Nash as a local volunteer. Many organizations, from the Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Germantown and the Historical Society have benefited from his participation. In 2004 he received a citizenship award from the Chamber of Commerce. Kevin can almost always be seen in a parade or just about anything that Germantown has to offer says, Donna. He loves this community. Currently Kevin serves as President Elect of Leadership Germantown, sits on the Ambassador Committee for the Chamber of Commerce and also learned how to play bass guitar for his local church worship band. Kevin feels that this is his kid’s hometown, so he is driven to make it a better place to live for them to return to when the are ready to own a home their own.

Part of my success has been getting to know people and to provide them with enough information so that my clients are comfortable when it comes to signing on the dotted line Nash stated. I've been blessed to find a career that I love and it's my pleasure to serve!

Get more information about Kevin on his personal real estate website at www.knash.com

357 W. Wisconsin Avenue Oconomowoc, WI 53066 Phone: 414-254-6647 Fax: Email: kjohnston5@wi.rr.com http://www.kristinjohnston.com Provided as a courtesy of: Kristin K Johnston ABR,e-PRO RE/MAX Realty Center

Remarks: Gorgeous lot w/wow interior. Kit update in 2008! Granite counters. Brick arched cook center, island, blt-in's & sun-drenched dinette overlooking deck, patio & fab landscaping. Impressive Great Rm, LR/Den off open foyer. Stone-look tiles & high ceilings! Great MBR w/spa bath. First floor Den/4th BR. Newly finished (2008) LL: snack kit & island bar, pergo, media area & full bath. Garage has hot & cold water & drain. Floored attic storage. Sharp. Include Home Warranty

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Waukesha County Real Estate. Feel free to email me at kjohnston@remax.net or call me directly at 414-254-6647. Need help selling your home? Looking to purchase a home? Find a home in the MLS,on-line info,community information, mortgage calculators and more: www.kristinjohnston.com

Your contact for all your real estate needs in Waukesha County, WI.

Kristin Johnston

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