Andrew Kim

So what does it take for a buyer to get into a house in this market? With multiple offers on properties now a common theme, it takes a little more work to get the deal done.

The home prices are low, the rates are low and the inventories in most areas are getting lower and lower. While most of the agents are on vacation mode during the 4th quarter, it could actually be a good time for some people to buy in this time frame. So what does that mean for those agents who work in this time period? It could mean that we are getting set to finish the year strong helping those that are seriously looking to purchase a home.

With the tax credit set to expire, December 1st, it's a good time to get buyers in a home now. This also means that agents could do well in the 4th quarter with a little extra effort in this time period.

In our office, the management is trying to increase the sales by offering incentives such as vacation trips, WII system, flat screen TV, restaurant gift cards, cash. All this so that agents don't get stuck in a period of vacation mode early in the 4th quarter.

I've lost out on three deals in the last week on properties where it attracted multiple offers.

Home prices were $350K, $580K and $450K.

I am losing out to buyers with all cash offers.

it seems like there are more people looking to buy now then there were at the beginning of the year. The rates are really good but it doesn't do any good if they are paying all cash.

Banks like the fact that they could close quick and they don't have to worry about losing deals due to appraisals.

It's frustrating but it's something that is working well with those that have clients who are making all cash offers.

I guess that means that your offer has to stand out amongst all the cash offers.

What a difference a few months makes.

Just finished with an inspector this morning on a house we got in contract about a week ago. The sellers are not willing to pay for any inspections and no credit backs.

We have switched to where more sellers on a regular sale are not paying for anything and is selling the property as is. It seems like if we ask for something after the inspections, they won't budge since there are others who will take the property as it is.

Earlier in the year, sellers were more willing to take care of what they had to but now it is a different ball game.

After meeting with the inspectors, it seems like we will be asking for something to be taken care of by the sellers. Hopefully it wil all work out.

As I was working with buyers, I noticed a trend that has changed since the beginning of the year. Offers would be made and if the offers were low, counter offers were made by the sellers. Now, it seems like the offers have to be strong because of multiple offer situations.

I tell my buyers now that if they like the house, they have to make the strongest offer they can manage. Even then, it's not a sure thing that we will get our offer accepted.

Expecing counter offers is the thing of the past. Make your offers as strong and best as possible.

Just saw the news last week showing the median prices of homes jumped again in July. I believe it was up around $40,000. I know we have a long way to go to get back to where we were but it shows that prices on homes have started to go up and will keep going up.

There are many buyers who are still unsure on what to buy and when to buy. The interest rates have stayed low now for quite a long time. If the timing is not now, it definitely will not be later.

Let's get those buyers off the fence and make offers as strong as possible.

I have two offers this week and I'm hopeful that I will get both offers accepted. That is two down and five to go.