CHARLESTON, S.C., Oct. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- To help homebuyers in Charleston and surrounding areas, father and daughter Realtors Dan and Laura Pape, of Carolina One Real Estate's Team Pape, share the following three tips on how to stand above the competition.
No. 1: Get pre-approved. House hunters should be pre-approved from one or more lenders before even beginning their search. "This helps determine the amount of money you are qualified to borrow," said Dan. "Also, it's important to take into account additional costs of ownership, such as taxes, utilities and insurance."
Added Laura, "Buyers should determine a final budget they can comfortably afford. Don't go way over your budget, and keep in mind all of your other life expenses."
No. 2: Always bid competitively. It can be tempting for buyers to submit a low offer as a starting bid. "But in a seller's market you need to put forward the highest offer from the start, or you are likely to lose out on the home," noted Dan. "Keep in mind that in multiple bidding situations it is not always the highest offer that is most attractive to the seller, but the cleanest offer with the fewest contingencies."
No. 3: Have a personal letter. The Papes always recommend buyers have a personal letter to submit with their offer. "It's a very emotional decision for sellers to leave their home to a new person or family," concluded Laura. "Sometimes it helps make the decision for them when they can see who wants their home. For the letter, we recommend telling about themselves and their family, describe what they loved about the home, and thank the sellers for considering their offer. Attaching a photo at the end of the letter also helps."
About Dan and Laura Pape, Team Pape, Carolina One Real Estate
Dan Pape is a Certified Real Estate Specialist [CRS], a Graduate of the Real Estate Institute [GRI], Accredited Buyer's Representative [ABR], Sellers Representative Specialist [SRS], GREEN designee, and is a Broker Associate. He has been selling real estate in Charleston, SC since 2001. Laura Pape graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2011 with a Business degree in Marketing and Management. She is also an ABR and SRS. For more information, call (843) 849-5215, email [email protected], or visit http://www.TeamPape.realtor.
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SOURCE Dan and Laura Pape
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