Increase your chances of getting your dream house instead of losing it to another buyer, with these easy steps.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage. In this way, you’ll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and make your offer more desirable to the seller.

Stay in close touch with your real estate sales associate to find out first about new listings that come on the market. He can often let you know of new listings before the sign is even up. And be ready to go see a house as soon as it goes on the market.

Scout out new listings yourself. Look at the internet and register to receive new listings as soon as they go public, newspaper ads, and drive by the neighborhood frequently. Maybe you’ll see a brand-new “for sale” sign before anyone else.

Be ready to make a decision! Spend lots of time in advance deciding what you must have so you won’t be unsure when you have the chance to make an offer.

Bid competitively. You may not want to start out offering the absolutely highest price you can afford, but don’t try to go to low and get a deal. In a tight market, you’ll lose out.

Keep contingencies to a minimum. Restrictions such as needing to sell your home before you move or wanting to delay the closing until a certain date can make your offer unappealing. In a tight market, you’ll probably be able to sell your house rapidly. Or talk to your lender about getting a bridge loan to cover both mortgages for a short period.

Don’t get caught in a buying frenzy. Just because there’s competition doesn’t mean you should just buy anything. And even though you want to make your offer attractive, don’t neglect inspections that help ensure that your house is sound.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Copyright 2003. All rights reserved.