Determining your OFFER price

Determining Your Offer Price
When you prepare an offer to purchase a home, you already know the seller’s asking price. But what price are you going to offer and how do you come up with that figure?
Determining your offer price is a three-step process. First, you look at recent sales of similar properties to come up with a price range. Then, you analyze additional data, such as the condition of the home, improvements made to the property, current market conditions, and the circumstances of the seller. This will help you settle on a price you think would be fair to pay for the home. Finally, depending on your negotiating style, you adjust your "fair" price and come up with what you want to put in your offer. I will give you a range of recommended price to offer and you determine where you want to start. I will also recommend a “not to exceed” price for you. On a home that is priced right, it is likely your offer will be within 5% of asking price.
Comparable Sales
The first step in determining the price you are willing to offer is to look at the recent sales of similar homes. These are called "comparable sales." Comparable sales are recent sales of homes that compare closely to the one you are looking to purchase. Specifically, you want to compare prices of homes that are similar in square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, garage space, lot size, and type of construction.
If the home you are interested in is part of a tract of homes, then you will most likely find some exact model matches to compare against one another.
There are three main sources of information on comparable sales, all of which are easily accessed by a real estate agent. It is somewhat more difficult for the general public to access this data, and in some cases impossible. Two of the most obvious information sources are the public record and the Multiple Listing Service. The latter is exclusive to Realtors who are members of the MLS service, for which we pay a fee.
Remember that your “buyer’s agent” should be working for you and negotiating on your behalf to get the best price and terms. Price is only a part of the offer. The terms of purchase are equally important. To find out more about negotiating an offer can me at 614-766-5330 ext 119.