Dee Smith's Blog: WANT A MOVE-IN-READY HOME IN THIS MARKET?

Buying Real Estate in Land o Lakes and Wesley Chapel, Florida

Today we have a very fast-paced market in Land o Lakes and Wesley Chapel, FL (2018). When a nice, move-in-ready listing comes on the market it is very many times under contract in less than a week. Sometimes with multiple offers, it is difficult, if not close to impossible to compete, but you can be successful.

So how can you be successful in such a crazy market? This is how...
#1) You must be ready to buy. Give your pre-approval letter to your Realtor to save valuable time. If you fall in love with a house on the weekend, you may not be able to get a pre-approval letter until Monday and then it may be too late. And have your funds available for your down payment and closing costs. Gone are the days when buyers could ask for closing costs.

#2) You must be watching the new listings. Have your Realtor set you up with auto emails that come to you ASAP, just as soon as the listings hit the market. You must have a Realtor who can get you in the houses quickly. Here is why you need a fast-paced Realtor. If you have to wait for a slow moving Realtor to make an appointment in 2 or 3 days, of course you are not going to get there in time.

#3) You must be working closely with your Realtor. Let your Realtor know what you are thinking, when you are likely to want to see houses, after work, in the mornings, etc. so she can be expecting it. Discuss it. Make a plan with your Realtor.

#4) And you must be ready to do whatever it takes to be successful. Sometimes you have to put a little extra money in, make a higher offer than asking, cover the difference after the appraisal, jump through some hoops to get to the finish line. Be ready to do that. Talk to your lender about the paperwork you will be needing to give them. Remember, you are the lucky one if you do win a contract on the home you love.

Another great option is New Homes.

You can pick your builder, your lot, your floor plan, your kitchen package, flooring, etc. Some builders have inventory home, which are move in ready or close to move in ready. Some even have incentives, such as closing costs, upgrades, etc. You must have a Realtor who knows the new homes builders, and knows how to get you what you can get.

If you are looking for a steal... there are still some ‘discounted’ short sales, foreclosures and fixer uppers available, but these are in need of repairs and updating. Also you will be competing with contractors that want to flip them and they are cash buyers. We do have the FHA 203K mortgages with built in repair and reno funds to help with these.

And I can also recommend good contractors to help you with those renos. In these cases, if you have a good negotiator for a Realtor, you can also ask for and sometimes get closing costs and other incentives.