multiple Os

Multiple offers is what we were thinking.  And they can take even the wildest luckycat shoppers by surprise.

1. Give it your best in the first round. luckycat girls know that price packs only part of their punch. Other factors? The deposit paid once the offer is accepted or after subjects are removed, the completion and possession dates, the number and nature of ‘subject’ clauses, and any inclusions (such as appliances) that might come with the property itself. Because you know that your first shot may be your only shot, you write in your best price. You put in a generous deposit. You dig for the dates that the seller wants and write them in. And you work with your realtor to determine appropriate subjects and inclusions under the circumstances.
2. Make your offer tangible.  Make your price and deposit tantalizingly tangible for the seller by attaching a bank draft, appropriately post-dated, in the amount of the deposit.
3. Consider getting personal. Some sellers want to know that their home will be appreciated by the new owner, and that a good person (or couple or family) will be moving in. So consider letting them know a bit more about you (use your luckycat discretion here, and consider the advice of your realtor). Write them a note and tell them what you love about their home (“...with a baby on the way, we would love a yard like yours so that we can build a playhouse…”). Your personal touch may be just enough to make the difference.
4. Present well. A faxed offer simply won’t do. Unless the seller has given written instructions that they only want offers in writing, or unless there are unusual circumstances (such as an offshore seller), insist that your realtor present your offer directly to the seller on your behalf to ensure that it's shown in the best possible light.
5. Be an on-call girl. During and after the offer presentation, have your cell phone at the ready and your Blackberry Curve ready to fire. So that if the seller has questions or a counter-offer, you can pounce.      
6. Know your limit. You might decide that you're willing to pay more than you had originally planned. You might even decide to go above the list price. But a luckycat girl always knows her financial bottom line. So that in the heat of the moment, you don’t get swept away.

Consult your realtor before making a move in any offer situation. And visit luckycatrealestate.com for more on real estate in Greater Vancouver.