The housing market in the Chattanooga region is going to continue to be challenging for buyers as the market remains strong and there simply isn’t enough inventory. There’s no point in sugar-coating it: It’s a seller’s market. Homes are selling, on average, within three weeks and often staying on the market less than 48 hours. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad time to buy.
The reality of the high cost of renting and the prospect of mortgage rates increasing has buyers continuing to flock to the market. But it’s important for buyers to be flexible when assessing their needs so they can power through the competition and find and buy a home they’ll love.
Follow these tips to be closer to owning the home you want:
Acquire a Realtor: The resources, experience and skills of a Realtor are priceless when it comes to buying in a seller’s market. Every detail matters, especially in a hot, fast-moving market. Working with a Realtor can make all the difference and save buyers time and stress.
Using a Realtor can get your name at the top of the list because listing agents are often more apt to go with a buyer who’s working with a Realtor who is reputable and can get the deal done efficiently, especially if their seller needs to turn around and purchase a home quickly after the sale.
Get preapproved: Even with a competitive market, some homeowners begin visiting homes without a mortgage approval letter from their lender. But in this market, preapproval letters are key to a smooth homebuying process. Anyone can make an offer, but a true offer has either a preapproval letter or proof of funds documentation.
A preapproval means a lender has examined your credit and other expenses to determine how much mortgage you could afford given their underwriting guidelines. Submitting an offer with only a prequalification letter could sink your bid in a hurry because prequalification only shows how much a house you could afford based on income. Submitting an offer with a preapproval shows you’re a serious buyer, ready and financially able to close the deal.
Be prepared to make strong, flexible offers: Have your Realtor ask for the seller’s preferred closing date. Your contract might very well be accepted simply because of your flexibility on timing.
In a competitive seller’s market, your offer not only needs to be complete, it needs to be clean, which means no contingencies. Try your best to overlook cosmetic changes a home needs that you can fix after moving in.
In addition, if everyone else is offering 10-day due-diligence periods, and you and your Realtor are confident it’s a great home, make your due-diligence just five days. Little things can make a big difference.
Gather your best down payment: Present an offer with the highest down payment you could reasonably manage. Sellers are more likely to accept an offer from a buyer with a larger down payment for a variety of reasons, including the belief that a buyer with a larger down payment is going to more smoothly quality for a mortgage.
Be prepared to make a quick decision: Possibly the most difficult part of a seller’s market is having to make rush decisions. Buying a home is typically the largest investment you’ll ever make, but moving quickly can make the difference in getting that dream home.
Most buyers are only able to view a home once before deciding whether to make an offer. One way to make those decisions easier is to determine your priorities ahead of time and share them with your Realtor.
Connect with a Realtor at www.gcar.net to get off on the right foot in your search for a home. They’ll provide more tips for how to navigate our housing market and go from potential buyer to new homeowner.
Greater Chattanooga Realtors is “The Voice for Real Estate in Greater Chattanooga.” A regional organization with more than 2,000 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is one of some 1,300 local boards and associations of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors service Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia.
More information: www.gcar.net; 423 698-8001