There is nothing more painful than making an offer on a home and then hearing that the home of your dreams has been given to someone else. The solution to this heartache? Make them an offer they can’t refuse by standing out among other hungry buyers. Try out some of these tips! 

Know where to be flexible

Before you set your sights on your dream home, have a game plan. Go into making an offer by knowing how strict or flexible your budget can be, and other contingencies.

Be prepared

If you express interest in a house you are serious about but don’t take the steps you need to follow through, your seller won’t be waiting for you—especially in a competitive market.  Be ready to follow through with each piece of the buying process to stand out.

Make your down payment appealing

The more you can offer upfront, the more peace of mind your seller will have in following through with what you have to offer compared to those around you. Show the seller just how serious you are about their home.

Put their schedule first

Remember, the seller is probably just as stressed as you are, which means that any sign of difficulty or hesitation on your end could have the seller turning to someone else. Be open to meeting, and be compliant where you can be.

Personalization is key

As much as buying a home is a serious business deal, it’s a deal between people who are both in a similar situation, so build a relationship off of that commonality. Write a letter or send a small gift with a note to thank them for sharing a piece of their former home with you. Numbers and contracts matter, but don’t forget that behind all of that are people.

Do something that sets you apart from the busy season of buyers by following these tips!