Attorney Shannon Wynn: Make an equitable real estate offer with these five tips

Wynn at Law, LLC is honored to be part of more successful real estate offers than we can count since the 2008 recession. Every one of them had five components in common that made for 'clean' bids and negotiations without animosity.

1) Know what you're buying. This means getting your property inspected and making sure that your offer is based on what the inspector says. Making an offer with the inspections waived is a huge gamble with one of your largest investments… it can be done, but it takes a perfect storm of knowing the property extremely well, a bargain on the market as-is, and a knowledgeable attorney in your corner. A tip: Walk through the house with an inspector before your offer.

2) Know what it's worth. Real estate 'comps' show what similar homes have sold for in the area. A good agent will produce them for you. You can also sleuth for them on your own through public records. You'll know what the owner paid when. You can also find permits issued for renovations the current owner made so you'll know the work was locally inspected.

3) Know your seller. Is the bank selling the property? Or is the owner distressed? Or is the family selling on behalf of a decedent? Each selling situation has its own nuances. For example, the bank is less emotionally attached to a number than a long-time owner.

4) Know your own finances. Offer c-a-s-h. This is true whether it is your cash, or a lender's money. From the bank’s perspective in a foreclosure or distressed property, by placing a cash offer they view you as not subject to financing. Regardless of whether it's bank-owned or family-owned property, the seller's been previously dealing with offers that involve financing.

5) Know your real estate attorney. Wynn at Law LLC knows the real estate in southeast Wisconsin, most of the agents and many of the local lenders. As we mentioned in a previous article, the sooner in the home-buying process our firm is involved, the more we can assist in a smooth, legally sound transaction.

The fair comes in August

Remember our article on honesty? If you're low-balling an offer just for the sake of doing it, think twice. This tactic can burn your bridges with local realty professionals and homeowners alike. 'Fair' isn't really a real estate term. It's a subjective concept: What's fair to the seller or the buyer or the bank are not likely to be the same. Wynn at Law LLC sees the best offers as being equitable, rather than fair. From our experience, the only 'fair' upon which there is objective agreement is the one at the fairgrounds in August.

*The content and material in this original post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

 Photo by Andy Dean, used with permission.