In tough or competitive real estate markets knowing when a house will be listed before it actually goes on the market can definitely be a great advantage to finding and buying the home of your dreams. One of the biggest tactics is having a real estate agent that is well-versed in both buying and selling properties. In hot markets where there are not a lot of available homes, working with someone who has a large database of connections in the industry can really give you a competitive edge above those who don’t. Here are four tactics for finding a home for sale before it’s actually listed.
Look for an unkempt yard.
Homes that have let things go, haven’t mowed the lawn in weeks, or house that’s in need of some TLC may be assigned that either the owners are on an extended vacation or that the home is about to be foreclosed on. You can speak to your real estate agent about the possibility of an auction.
Stalk the neighborhood.
If you know you want to live in a particular neighborhood, peruse the neighborhood several times. Are there workmen outside of homes? Are homeowners just remodeling or doing some updating because they will be listing the house? It’s important to ask and it may even be more accepted if you ask rather than a real estate agent.
Look for “notices of default”.
Finding a pre-foreclosure property can be difficult and it may not just be signs of an unkempt yard. This is why it’s so crucial to have a real estate agent they can find properties in default. If these properties create a relationship that ends up with a great home for you and a good way out for the seller, it’s a win-win on both sides.
Again, I really believe it comes down to having the right real estate agent. A savvy agent that is experienced, knows the market, possibly has a lot of sellers in their back pocket ready to list, and doing a little bit of detective work on your part can really help find the right home before anyone else does. If you’re ready to get started on this process give us a call. We can start by understanding exactly what you’re looking for and then work our way around that.