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I’m often asked by people who like to prey on others how to buy real estate in a 8 K5 c( s, w" ?' t+ p# q& G
falling market, like this one. The danger of doing so is that you buy before the 1 E! j" ^8 F4 [. T7 A& D: g: C
bottom arrives, and take a capital gains hit. The advantage is you hold absolutely all
: [7 @# n0 }4 `) b/ V) O5 G) ?. Tthe cards, and can strike a great deal while the victim-seller is writhing in pain and
% J7 U* G. K2 M" D) `: Pbegging for mercy. That’s the fun part.
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So, don’t ask me if it’s time to buy yet, because you won’t like the answer. But if
+ I; T) w% @4 E: P! U: {) R+ Qyou want some tips on being a vulture, for when the moment’s right, then clip this - P! ~) ], }, e, q+ g
and stick it on the fridge. (By the way, this is another preview of my coming book.)
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* Offer what you want to pay, not what the vendor is asking to be paid. With so many & X6 g# V+ F7 W9 ^% H2 @# y
properties listed, and so little sales activity, every offer has to be taken
" v. z5 {) E0 _6 u/ eseriously. Only by writing up an offer on your own terms, at your own price, will you
7 r$ l: n3 H `( u" bget a sign-back showing the true level of desperation you’re dealing with.
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* Always submit the offer with a deposit cheque, which is like putting a shiny lure on " F& P7 E2 j* v; P/ V( c3 q! I/ n6 \
the end of your fishing line. However, the offer must stipulate the cheque is not ) X/ _/ Q# U" g
cashable until a firm and binding agreement is reached. So, it means nothing, while $ [6 A1 M8 m, x- Z
having a powerful psychological impact.
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) M; Q1 S/ h4 Q9 }1 o* Throw in as many conditions as you want. This will create an offer that is 4 H3 L2 R) s2 X) q5 ^4 e+ D$ G( U* N
completely tailored to your needs and wants while providing elements you can remove in
. g; A x( a# _- o* s. J3 d8 O. Iorder to gain things you truly want. So, for example, make the offer conditional on
% ?$ R0 I3 D1 u' {1 lthe vendors paying all your closing costs, including land transfer tax. While you ! U$ {$ K( Q* Q" @5 L
never expect that to happen, you can remove it during negotiations in order to get ( t; R6 c6 b: V! U7 m
what you do want and expect, which is a bargain price.' S* i- D+ ~" F/ q% D6 H
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* Ditto for conditions giving you time to arrange financing or even to sell another 4 v; p# O8 f, |9 z
property – they are both traditional deal-breakers, and the vendor’s agent will know
* K( U' a% ]6 U E; Dthat immediately. So, by reluctantly removing them you move far closer to getting that
% }9 s, _. B1 xprice.
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9 s( v$ o0 a# N8 S5 ]* j* j+ D* Best, however, to insist on a home inspection. This condition should give you five
U( x3 D9 ^7 q* G8 J8 ]* a- [! Lbusiness days to complete the process, and is normally done at the purchaser’s
7 [% i' R' H" Z1 l% l' [' L U2 b( lexpense. The reason you want this is because almost all properties need some kind of
* K% E7 g: |; H, U2 Mwork done in order to make them perfect, and when you get the inspector’s report you + Y! ^% U8 N6 I: i) f0 { i
have leverage to help you drive down the price. Simply get an estimate of the cost of 2 e$ m8 t* ]7 P2 M2 {
the repairs and ask for the deal to be rewritten with a price reduced by that amount.
" r7 r% g& X+ u' uSince the vendor knows the condition is entirely for your benefit and the deal will
( g5 Q: Y* B8 X' Xdie unless you sign a waiver, well, guess what? Vulture.0 F+ ^+ M, f6 y; V
% n% d# R6 G0 I k4 A* And remember that the closing date is also an important poker chip to play. Have k r1 l( P- A+ F1 r( d/ s
your agent find out what the vendor wants, and then use that to help leverage the % T$ t! L3 ] m" G
price down. Additionally, you can throw any assets you see around the property into : f) P5 _. i' M2 R
your offer – power tools, appliances, lawn tractor, Harley-Davidson, whatever. The
& @/ u' ]* P5 w1 Emore you put in, the more clutter there is for the vendor to wade through, and the 0 @2 m6 W. ?4 e8 [7 {! D: S$ [
better chance you have of securing the best deal.
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2 L. }1 M5 G4 k @) z1 Q* Speaking of which, why not make two offers at the same time on two competing ! f) q) g M7 U3 ?) Z# \& W
properties, and then let that fact be known (through your agent) to the vendor? That
4 {4 d8 Z$ G6 Gwill add even more pressure to the poor guy, as he tries to figure out what he must do 8 e* q3 D) p, @2 e2 w
to save the deal, and give you what you want. This may be cruel and unusual, but just 6 j" s2 R4 a+ i6 J/ D! ~$ J' s" X0 K; B
consider it payback for all those multiple-offer situations greedy vendors placed
& C) C' f) F1 N( jbuyers in during the bubble years.# ~0 U' {8 ]' u6 z+ h- V
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* And, of course, you can make a low-ball offer, get a sign-back, and then just let it
7 P' f+ t+ T) p! S* Ydie. Wait a week and go back in with another one, for the same low price. Odds are you
2 i! Y4 `- [; l' |; wwill not get the same response this time. The stressed-out vendor may hate you, but & m& @5 T" B) h0 T/ e9 ?
he’ll close. |
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