What Buyers Must Do to Win in This Market

By Dar Walden

Dar Walden and her team are recognized as the leading real estate professionals in Alaska, consistently setting the standard for excellence in the industry. Dar is celebrated as one of the top five agents in the Northwest region and ranks among the top 50 agents with Keller Williams worldwide. She has also been honored in the Top 500 by Real Trends and named one of the Top 500 Marketers of the Year by the National Association of Expert Advisors—a distinction awarded within a highly competitive field of over a million agents nationwide.

Right now, the real estate market is crazy, especially for buyers. Inventory is very low, meaning there are very few options to choose from, and most homes have multiple offers on them, making them very competitive to purchase.

If you’re looking to buy a home and want to be successful, there are two things you absolutely must do:

1. Get pre-approved. With the pandemic, the rule is that you must be pre-approved to be able to view houses in person, and only two people plus an agent will be allowed on the property.

2. Be aggressive. You can’t afford to wait around debating whether or not to make a move on a home. By the time most houses hit the market, they have multiple offers on them, and they’re usually pending within 48 to 72 hours, so you need to act fast and aggressively if you want a shot at getting the home. 

Also, keep in mind that buyers aren’t getting their closing costs paid; in the past, sellers have been willing to pay buyers’ closing costs, but in this market, you need to have enough money to pay them yourself. Similarly, where sellers once covered the costs of the appraisal, buyers are now having to carry the costs themselves.

If you’re looking to buy a home, we have some of the best buyer’s agents in the state. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need assistance. We’ll sit down with you and lay out what you can expect and how we can help you reach your goals.