Home Buyers Face Big Competition

Today, in the entire Atlanta metro area there is a total of 41,095 homes on the market. Typically, by September each year we are coming down off a summer time high of 150,000+ homes on the market. That didn't happen this year. In fact, we never reached 50,000 homes on the market all year. Regardless, sales have been robust. I can only speak for the Atlanta metro area, when I say that Buyers have been repeatedly disappointed during the past several months. Disappointed when they realize that the house they want has received multiple offers. Many buyers offer full price only to be beat out by another buyer willing to go higher. This is happening with great regularity. The media has been lax in reporting this phenomenon. But the Atlanta metro market is now experiencing a "supply and demand" problem which has helped to turn the tide from a robust buyers' market to a sellers' market albeit with a price correction. To their surprise, buyers in Atlanta and many other markets are finding they're no longer in the power position. Other cities are experiencing the same thing and today in my INBOX I received the following article from Money Magazine and CNN. Money Magazine) -- When Paul and Ieva Johnson moved from Minnesota to Florida, they were looking forward to warm weather and plenty of bargain-priced homes. But when the couple made their first offer earlier this year, they quickly discovered that they'd have to settle for the sunshine. Not only didn't they get the house, says Paul, but "we didn't even get a callback." Over the next two months they put in seven offers -- most at or above asking price -- before finally making a successful $365,000 bid on a Sarasota three-bedroom. To their surprise, buyers in some housing markets are finding that they're no longer in the power position. The reason is simple: too many bidders and not enough homes. A growing number of shoppers are on the hunt, confident that the market has hit bottom, say brokers. Yet many would-be sellers are staying on the sidelines, either because they're underwater or because prices are still painfully low. In June the number of houses listed for sale nationwide dropped 24% compared with the year prior, sending the supply of homes relative to buying activity down to levels not seen since 2006. That's led to some stiff competition among buyers, says Sin-Yi Chao Lambertson, a broker in Glendora, Calif.: "I've had listings get 45 offers." As the economy improves, the supply of homes should bounce back. If you're in the market now, though, and want to ensure yours is the winning bid, take these steps: Size up your town. First you'll need to determine whether you could be in for a bidding war. Rising price tags are a sign that sellers are gaining ground, but prices often lag the market. Two other stats, available on real estate site Zillow, can mean an area's heating up: a drop in the percentage of homes with list price cuts, and an increasing ratio of sales to asking prices. Don't skimp on credit. With many sellers worried about deals falling through, you'll need the bank's blessing right away. Don't waste time on prequalification, which is an estimate of how much you might be able to borrow. "When multiple offers come in, I'll toss out anything that's just prequalified," says Teri Herrera, a broker in Redmond, Wash. Pre-approval based on your credit, income, and assets is better, and full credit approval, which goes through the bank's underwriting department, is best. Get a veteran on your side. Finding an experienced agent is even more important in a competitive market; you'll want a pro who specializes in working with buyers and who knows the local players and pricing trends. "One of your first questions should be whether the agent has experience in multiple-offer situations," says Herrera, adding that it's also important to get details on the deals she's closed recently. A good agent can help you determine whether a home is fairly priced, advise you on how much to offer -- and back up her counsel with data and examples. Make a clean offer. When you take the leap, remember that "the best offer isn't always the one with the best price," says George Miller, the Johnsons' Sarasota agent. "It's the one with the fewest hassles and outs for the buyer." Make yours as straightforward as possible. If it's contingent on selling an existing home, for example, you're unlikely to win a bidding war. Set on a certain closing date? Consider whether it's worth blowing the deal. In this market, the answer is probably no. Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the Atlanta metro area assisting both buyers and sellers. Sara Hibbard is easily reached at 404-660-2481 or sara@SaraHibbard.com. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!