Author: The Moens

Pick me! Pick me! I want to be the Buyer!

I have shared some tips on how to make yourself, as a buyer, more appealing and less risky to a seller. We have talked about how everything has changed in the past couple of years in Real Estate. So what we are seeing are “escalation clauses” written into offers in a multiple offer situation [which is every offer I have written in the past 2 years].
An escalation clause can help a buyer compete, and ultimately offer more than the highest bidder. For a seller who is mainly interested in their bottom line, the highest bidder might be the one to win the house. 
This is of course not always the case but it is most common these days. Here is an example:
PRICE ESCALATION: Buyer offers $449,000 as the Purchase Price. However, Buyer will increase Purchase Price over any other written and signed Offer that Seller receives, to exceed any other such purchase price by $10,000, up to a maximum Purchase Price of $552,000. Seller agrees to provide a copy, with appropriate redactions, of the competing offer within 2 calendar days of MEC (mutual execution of this contract). Upon acceptance of this Offer, Buyer and Seller agree that the final offering price, up to a maximum of $552,000, will become the contractual Purchase Price.

The Market for 2022

I may sound like a broken record…

Here we are in 2022. And many of our clients have asked us how we think the market will be in 2022….

Today’s market is defined by an intense sense of urgency felt by buyers and buyers’ agents. Compared to last year, inventory is lower, demand is greater, and interest rates are rising.
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be prepared if you are purchasing a property in Breckenridge or other areas in Summit county to have everything lined up and ready to go.

  • Cash is king (usually).
  • If you are getting a loan a local lender will feel less of a risk to the seller.
  • Get a Pre-Qualification Letter before hand so that we can present it with the offer.
  • Quick closing, or put in a clause that gives the seller some choice on the closing date.
  • Offer above asking price and have an escalation clause (I will blog on what that is next).
  • Make the offer clean, in other words don’t put a lot of pressure on the seller. An example: leave off something small like ‘carpets to be professionally cleaned’.
  • Seller can rent back after closing if needed
  • Offering higher amounts of earnest money (normally 2%) will show the seller you are less apt to walk away from a deal with lots of money on the table and the risk of losing it if you don’t perform as contract dictates.
  • Another option is to state that earnest money goes “hard” after all contingencies are met. This shows, again, you are a serious buyer.
  • If you are buying investment property in Breckenridge the seller may have rentals on the books at the time of closing. Be flexible on those as far as closing after the bookings or letting seller keep what is on the books already, etc.

There are many tricks to make an offering that is appealing to seller. Roger and Teresa Moen, with eXp Realty have been doing this for 25 years. We are in a new world as I have said before, so we have to forget everything we thought we knew about buying and selling real estate in Breckenridge (which I know is difficult). We, Roger and Teresa Moen, have had to change with the times. We wouldn’t ask you to do what we are not willing to do ourselves.

Fun Things to do in Breck!

Try These Activities When You Want to Change Things Up 

There are so many attractive and exciting things to do in Breckenridge. Of course downhill skiing is the best! However, what about Nordic Skiing, Sledding, Sleigh Rides, Classes, Date Night activities and more!

And after you enjoy an epic day or evening out, call Roger and Teresa in Breckenridge to talk about buying an investment condo! That means no more long drives home in heavy traffic. It could be just a short walk  to your nice warm condo or town home. Call soon!