Shokoofeh Nowbakht

How much higher do I offer?
July 13, 2009 · · 5 Comments

About one & a half year ago, often I was asked “How much lower can I offer?” It seems like those days are gone. Last week I wrote 3 offers for 3 of my clients. And yes, you guessed right, I was asked every single time, “how much higher do I offer?” Real Estate market has clearly changed, I’d say, since 2 months ago. Many properties receive multiple offers after only a short number of days on the market. Most offers are over the asking price. One of my clients offered $530,000 on  property listed for $499,000, and his turned out to be one of the 14 rejected offers. From my experience and what I hear from my colleagues, offers may need to be over 10% of the list price to be considered a strong offer. What has been your experience recently?

Lee Ginsburg

Old School Pricing Is Out and Price It Right Is In
May 26, 2009 · · 6 Comments

 Many sellers are determined to set their listing price higher than they are willing to accept so they have room to negotiate. With the New Millennium buyers they unfortunately will not get any offers. Today’s buyers are more educated than any others. The internet gives the buyers the opportunity to research all public records. They know the price of all the homes in the area that sold recently and are on the market. They know the trends, the cost per square foot; they know what the seller paid for the home and how much they owe and sometimes the improvements the owner has completed. If a home is over-priced the “New” buyer is almost offended that someone would expect them to purchase it at the “Over Valued List Price” so they don’t even make an offer. Many don’t even waste their time to view the home. That is the old school pricing method. My parents would have done that. Back then information was not so accessible. Read more

Adam Chinn

How much under the list price can I offer?
May 21, 2009 · · 6 Comments

This is a question I am asked quite often.  Many people get their real estate news from what they hear on the radio, watch on tv, or read in newspapers.  What many do not do is actually speak to the people who are in the business and have up to date information on the current market.  Although I encourage my clients to ask any questions that comes to mind, it is my job and responsibility to explain to them what I have experienced in the market and where I think it will go from here.  Of course, I can not predict the future, but if the facts are studied, trends can be found.   I feel it is very important that I educate my clients on the current market, so that we can work together to accomplish the common goal. Read more

Lee Ginsburg

Offer Pricing
November 14, 2008 · · 2 Comments

I have several buyers very confused.  They offered the asking price for a Daly City home but were outbid by $50,000.  This is not supposed to happen in a today’s buyer’s market.  The low price is a marketing tool and not a realistic list price.  I explained before making a purchase offer, buyers must determine the true present market value. http://www.pruvoices.com/2008/10/what-is-market-value/   Read more