Surefire Ways To Lose The Deal

Buying a home is a wonderful experience.  However, you must go about it in the right way.  So if you think that you can go around spitting out offers and using dirty dealing techniques just because you know that it is a buyers' market right now - you are sadly mistaken.

When you are trying to buy a house, there are several things you absolutely must not do.  The best way to know what not to do is to put yourself in the sellers shoes.

Here are a few surefire ways to lose the deal and quite possibly your dream home

• Do not make an extremely low or unjustified offer.  Yes, you do have the upper hand because it is a buyers' market right now; however, no one can afford to give your their home  below market value.  The seller will see you as someone that is wasting their time.  They will turn down your offer and will not even consider a counteroffer.  Talk to your realtor to determine the fair market value for the area - before you make an offer.   It's ok to make an offer below the asking price if you have the market data to support your request.

• Get your financing in order before making an offer.  It is not uncommon for people to start arranging their financing  as far in advance as six months or more.   People assume because they have decent credit and some money saved for their new home that they will automatically be approved.  However, in this economy, that is not always the case.  You may find the perfect home for you and your family but if you cannot show that you can be approved, you might just lose the deal.  The seller will not want to risk accepting your offer and then finding out months down the road that you cannot get approved for the purchase of their home. 

• Do not walk into someone's home and start trash talking their house or their neighborhood.  If you think this will get you a lower price, you are wrong.  You are only going to anger the seller and they will turn down your offer in no time flat.   A person's home is a very personal thing.  Some people have lived in their homes for a very long time and the emotional attachment they have for it can run very deep.   So keep all negative comments to yourself.  You can talk to your realtor about your objections once you have left the sellers home and are in the privacy of your realtors office.  

If you see a reason to make a lowball offer on a home, talk with your agent about respectfully voicing your concerns to the sellers agent.   Your realtor has years of experience dealing with this type of thing and there is a very good chance that your realtor may already know the sellers agent and can address your concerns in a constructive manner.

Remember, always put yourself in the sellers shoes before doing anything.  You don't want to find the perfect home and then have it snatched away from you from an unwilling seller.  So play nice and let your agent guide you every step of the way.

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia. 

I have over 25 years experience in the real estate industry.  As a Broker/Owner with Exit Realty Talbot and Company, I bring special tools and solutions that enable me to exceed the expectations of my clientele.  If you are considering listing your property in Loudoun County or the nearby areas, ask me about our latest internet marketing systems.  I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.  I am experienced in listing and selling short sales.  For information on the short sale process, please visit  www.LoudounShortSaleSolutions.com.

My past awards and designations include – 2003 President of the Dulles Association of Realtors, 2003 Dulles Area Assoc Realtor of the Year, Salesperson of the year 2000 Dulles Area Assoc of Realtors,  Top Producer awards from both the Dulles Area Association and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.  I am a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network.

I have lived in Loudoun County since 1979.  I am married with two grown children and two grandchildren.  My son in law is my business partner in real estate.  I love to jog in the mornings and spend time relaxing on my Trawler during the summer months.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax, Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William  Counties.  Our local neighborhoods include Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.                        Cell 703.727.9885    Office 703.574.3800   www.facebook.com/LoudounCountyConnect  www.twitter.com/ExitAshburn  www.Linkedin.com/in/HelenaTalbot