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I’m often asked by people who like to prey on others how to buy real estate in a
8 J( y0 F; a3 }falling market, like this one. The danger of doing so is that you buy before the
& d% J% H, i$ e- H" n& G8 m7 pbottom arrives, and take a capital gains hit. The advantage is you hold absolutely all 6 p2 P* x, \3 f9 l. c! k% j
the cards, and can strike a great deal while the victim-seller is writhing in pain and ) J& k: s- V W7 M+ ~& X
begging for mercy. That’s the fun part.$ T( j3 {+ J6 n: V* R ?
4 @% B3 e, x2 a0 u } _ USo, don’t ask me if it’s time to buy yet, because you won’t like the answer. But if & T+ s+ @8 F6 b1 k0 U2 m* j
you want some tips on being a vulture, for when the moment’s right, then clip this
) r' f( V; p8 k* Uand stick it on the fridge. (By the way, this is another preview of my coming book.)) U) j. G. U# f
! X3 @3 p( ^- f$ g( n! N( s3 U* Offer what you want to pay, not what the vendor is asking to be paid. With so many
9 i/ |2 a' k# v6 _: v0 Hproperties listed, and so little sales activity, every offer has to be taken 7 \; c# g3 D2 m8 @2 k5 p
seriously. Only by writing up an offer on your own terms, at your own price, will you
: u) {0 r6 I& |& [' x4 Mget a sign-back showing the true level of desperation you’re dealing with.# [2 e" z6 _1 ^% B
/ D3 W, Z# w4 ]1 N) g$ |* q, K* Always submit the offer with a deposit cheque, which is like putting a shiny lure on
- m% _) [+ F G3 a) x( dthe end of your fishing line. However, the offer must stipulate the cheque is not . w- g# Z0 B: m% y: t: i+ H
cashable until a firm and binding agreement is reached. So, it means nothing, while
6 W! R7 h) c2 Z6 f" O$ J8 E, Ghaving a powerful psychological impact.
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* Throw in as many conditions as you want. This will create an offer that is ; n" A4 K- I1 r. f" B5 U
completely tailored to your needs and wants while providing elements you can remove in
0 M7 T) c( Y. i4 u8 q* Uorder to gain things you truly want. So, for example, make the offer conditional on + c: n+ ?0 d$ H8 [6 x
the vendors paying all your closing costs, including land transfer tax. While you
u: K& |8 w% S( B+ bnever expect that to happen, you can remove it during negotiations in order to get
9 d5 P7 v. K4 c8 J3 Awhat you do want and expect, which is a bargain price.
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* Ditto for conditions giving you time to arrange financing or even to sell another ' l8 p$ B. R5 f, x
property – they are both traditional deal-breakers, and the vendor’s agent will know
4 c7 {/ V7 A0 i* ]# l' sthat immediately. So, by reluctantly removing them you move far closer to getting that # G# f- q4 _; `4 S5 | t8 ~! t" z# ]
price.
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* Best, however, to insist on a home inspection. This condition should give you five
) v. k3 \1 g$ k0 ]/ F5 ]2 k2 Kbusiness days to complete the process, and is normally done at the purchaser’s
# y2 q5 @2 W/ L3 Nexpense. The reason you want this is because almost all properties need some kind of
. v" i; \( Q) I& [! kwork done in order to make them perfect, and when you get the inspector’s report you
' p# W2 u6 m% j1 Z( }have leverage to help you drive down the price. Simply get an estimate of the cost of ! W# D, _, ~+ |$ B% y
the repairs and ask for the deal to be rewritten with a price reduced by that amount.
7 D5 Q9 Y% @: p/ e9 d1 |! z3 Z0 MSince the vendor knows the condition is entirely for your benefit and the deal will
2 a' r* [ x2 M" R* o6 adie unless you sign a waiver, well, guess what? Vulture.
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' E, R& @* K7 y x/ q* And remember that the closing date is also an important poker chip to play. Have
' k ]7 F0 I: ~2 n4 l# ?% Syour agent find out what the vendor wants, and then use that to help leverage the
' y( h7 Z9 a3 Q+ hprice down. Additionally, you can throw any assets you see around the property into
. K5 X1 w$ H. n. m+ wyour offer – power tools, appliances, lawn tractor, Harley-Davidson, whatever. The
; g" B/ ?& z& W2 Tmore you put in, the more clutter there is for the vendor to wade through, and the & Q" m- ]' l3 S7 }, Y0 N% d& x
better chance you have of securing the best deal.
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9 r9 v s$ J. S$ @- C& C* Speaking of which, why not make two offers at the same time on two competing
5 S2 C' Z7 t2 W& |+ w$ D3 vproperties, and then let that fact be known (through your agent) to the vendor? That : b7 ?2 Y, t% J. r
will add even more pressure to the poor guy, as he tries to figure out what he must do " h( U+ p: N6 K# U8 @# @) C
to save the deal, and give you what you want. This may be cruel and unusual, but just
0 r. E3 J8 V* yconsider it payback for all those multiple-offer situations greedy vendors placed
, P; N. t' I" e" |buyers in during the bubble years.
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* S2 o- D4 E- Z1 c: \1 l* And, of course, you can make a low-ball offer, get a sign-back, and then just let it
1 q2 G7 f2 K" Kdie. Wait a week and go back in with another one, for the same low price. Odds are you
* N* D0 L2 f7 y: ~ K! twill not get the same response this time. The stressed-out vendor may hate you, but
% F5 x& O6 e3 ^ Rhe’ll close. |
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