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I’m often asked by people who like to prey on others how to buy real estate in a
# I0 n% x/ b& R$ Rfalling market, like this one. The danger of doing so is that you buy before the
$ C- e( T% x( k6 zbottom arrives, and take a capital gains hit. The advantage is you hold absolutely all
' d( o3 d, H8 q2 Bthe cards, and can strike a great deal while the victim-seller is writhing in pain and * G {7 F* L: h7 | ~2 X
begging for mercy. That’s the fun part.3 b4 W' a8 p9 C) F: d% `, \
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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
+ [% p( _. k% S( W( qyou want some tips on being a vulture, for when the moment’s right, then clip this / Q& w9 ^: v/ c' B# h
and stick it on the fridge. (By the way, this is another preview of my coming book.)
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3 P z, }, v1 D9 X; r- |* Offer what you want to pay, not what the vendor is asking to be paid. With so many
- J6 U n: \* |& n) } k! D9 {properties listed, and so little sales activity, every offer has to be taken ]4 P8 j: N6 D. D/ I
seriously. Only by writing up an offer on your own terms, at your own price, will you
" h) |6 q( K8 P+ ?( m$ ?get a sign-back showing the true level of desperation you’re dealing with.
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4 |# a7 f+ Z- p) V* Always submit the offer with a deposit cheque, which is like putting a shiny lure on 8 t4 q; Y; o- W) R* U
the end of your fishing line. However, the offer must stipulate the cheque is not ; a0 j1 F" n" C; j
cashable until a firm and binding agreement is reached. So, it means nothing, while
+ E/ N9 I! p i/ e( s `3 dhaving a powerful psychological impact.
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8 G* l8 Z7 D F, a* G* Throw in as many conditions as you want. This will create an offer that is : K7 y9 l+ x/ G, G3 ~/ [; t& s( w
completely tailored to your needs and wants while providing elements you can remove in
% t5 s8 }1 R+ i" ~: F' Lorder to gain things you truly want. So, for example, make the offer conditional on 7 _8 k4 i: n1 {4 d& l, r" ~
the vendors paying all your closing costs, including land transfer tax. While you 8 ]9 I7 q* x6 M9 n! v
never expect that to happen, you can remove it during negotiations in order to get ; l- Q2 p. ]) p6 G2 G
what you do want and expect, which is a bargain price.
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- Q9 M* A0 X# L, }, y* Ditto for conditions giving you time to arrange financing or even to sell another
5 V5 H0 X i) L, g5 O+ nproperty – they are both traditional deal-breakers, and the vendor’s agent will know 1 U0 s: B8 M( E: |" b
that immediately. So, by reluctantly removing them you move far closer to getting that # i1 g* f3 _* H% E b# k- g
price.9 x5 N& j1 f1 A$ b/ w
! H1 @9 [3 u2 s) N& K0 w9 A/ A* Best, however, to insist on a home inspection. This condition should give you five 4 y5 ]( t. a8 E% P' c/ J! s
business days to complete the process, and is normally done at the purchaser’s ( i% c+ d' i( p1 S. |
expense. The reason you want this is because almost all properties need some kind of / {. W8 x+ \* c. Q
work done in order to make them perfect, and when you get the inspector’s report you
. `. P; Y6 S0 Mhave leverage to help you drive down the price. Simply get an estimate of the cost of
( P7 A" Q9 s! [" {the repairs and ask for the deal to be rewritten with a price reduced by that amount.
2 D6 G5 e* l- L7 M$ W8 K: zSince the vendor knows the condition is entirely for your benefit and the deal will : J, x% n9 ] F7 H: Y9 H0 }
die unless you sign a waiver, well, guess what? Vulture.
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* G( ~( V* U- M* And remember that the closing date is also an important poker chip to play. Have + x- ~& Y4 f0 w9 n+ k+ [
your agent find out what the vendor wants, and then use that to help leverage the 0 D! T3 }, C: _; g6 \
price down. Additionally, you can throw any assets you see around the property into
) A$ O3 L! K* E6 D$ P6 Myour offer – power tools, appliances, lawn tractor, Harley-Davidson, whatever. The . X( w* N5 x8 L% b, V; y, D* y) u
more you put in, the more clutter there is for the vendor to wade through, and the 1 m) d1 s+ ?! g2 F
better chance you have of securing the best deal.
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* Speaking of which, why not make two offers at the same time on two competing ( m8 i- Y- e* z* p
properties, and then let that fact be known (through your agent) to the vendor? That - Q8 Q7 X: k5 Q; n4 z, @7 l4 ]+ x
will add even more pressure to the poor guy, as he tries to figure out what he must do v0 c4 d: v: I
to save the deal, and give you what you want. This may be cruel and unusual, but just
. s2 i1 z, b& P( ~' m# N5 T7 Jconsider it payback for all those multiple-offer situations greedy vendors placed
$ z0 Z2 r( Q+ l0 Z# H5 _0 kbuyers in during the bubble years.
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$ x6 J) n k$ T8 W' R8 S* And, of course, you can make a low-ball offer, get a sign-back, and then just let it + k! Z# s& ?: [/ s q: Q
die. Wait a week and go back in with another one, for the same low price. Odds are you : @) Q V* K# O, b
will not get the same response this time. The stressed-out vendor may hate you, but 5 _* I/ i& L* h, `) z; L9 o
he’ll close. |
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