Tuesday, June 10, 2008

SELLERS BEWARE

It seems that since the market has shifted to a buyer's market there are a lot of buyers looking for a real deal and there is so much inventory they jump from showing to showing.

This is having an adverse effect on sellers because so many buyers are not committed to the offer they make. Recently, I've experienced listings go under contract as soon as they hit the market only to be terminated within the option period for no explainable reason. I'm surmising that the buyer found another property that was a better "deal."

Since in Texas, the buyer has the unrestriced right to terminate within the option period the buyer does not have to explain why he is pulling the plug. One listing I have is in a hot area and we had an offer the first day. The buyer number 1 terminated before he even had an inspection. No problem because buyer number 2 was waiting in line and shortly after they sent an amendment asking for repairs they terminated with no explaination so now we are on buyer number 3. With another lisitng I had a similar esperience receiving an offer the first day on the market and then a termination before there was an inspection. I even had a buyer I represented terminate an offer to chose another home.

So if you have a home to sell, hang tight. The first offer may not fly. The best advise I can give is to make your home very appealing by keeping it clean and attractive, make sure it's in good repair and price it competitively.

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