Buying a house in Central Indiana? Write two offers

When you love a house around Carmel, Greenwood or Fishers but think it’s overpriced, you need to know you can offer low without the seller hanging up. If not, you overpay or lose it. But when you do, the seller compares your offers to each other, not to the list price.

It’s a little weird. If you think there is only one right way to write an offer, skip this page.

1. The two-offer method.

Offer #1 is financed and above list. Offer #2 is cash, closes quicker, has fewer contingencies, and sits at the true number you want.

Investors buying rentals and flips do this all the time. You can use the same idea.

2. Certainty for price. You give the other side as much certainty as possible. You are not handing them a noose or a handgun. You are giving them what they might actually want: as many yesable propositions as possible.

3. Options besides cash. How can you use this for yourself? Is it cash vs. financed? Is it longer closing times vs a quick close with your mortgage company? Is it waiving inspection items under a certain dollar amount?

4. You must accept. If the seller accepts offer one, above list, you cannot suddenly get squeamish and decide you don’t want to overpay. That’s slimy. The point is to make it work for you in either way.

Be ready to make offer one work.

5. A low offer is a question. It asks the seller: how can we make this deal work for both of us, not just one of us? If they want to see it as an insult, they can. If they want to play ball, they’ll play ball. People with money will show you they have money. People who want a deal to work will make it work.

You don’t need a house picked out or a plan. If you’re wondering what may or may not be possible for you, email me at nlamkin@c21scheetz.com and let’s talk it through.

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