09/18/2026
🏡 UNDER CONTRACT 🔑
Getting the house isn’t always about offering the most money.
I tell my buyers all the time: buying a house isn’t like walking into a store, seeing something you want, and taking it to the register. 😂
Some transactions are straightforward.
Others? We strategize.
On this one, we negotiated FOR 3 DAYS. There are several ways an offer can potentially be structured competitively, including an escalation clause, an appraisal-gap provision, and other contract terms that could provide the seller with greater certainty. (In this case the escalation DID NOT do the trick)
But here’s the part I really want buyers to understand:
Stronger doesn’t automatically mean MORE money.
Price matters, but sellers may consider multiple terms when evaluating an offer. And my job isn’t simply to tell a buyer, “Offer more!”
It’s to help my buyer understand:
What are we offering? What happens if the property doesn’t appraise at our contract price? How much additional cash could you potentially be responsible for? What protections are you changing? And are you genuinely comfortable, and financially prepared, for those terms?
Read me out… when my Buyer told me that they were not comfortable paying that much of a gap if it didn’t apprised, I told them nope , then we don’t write it because I don’t want to take the chance of getting you under contract and backing out later. I texted the listing agent. “Thank you so much for your time and your great communication responding, however, they don’t feel comfortable moving forward so we are going to pass on it. I’d rather them to be comfortable with a number then later, realizing that it’s too much for them”. 
I have a win-win mentality. Yes, I represent my buyer’s best interest, but we have to understand respect goes a long way.  Each one of us has a job to do. And it wouldn’t be much of a victory if we structured an offer the buyer didn’t fully understand or couldn’t comfortably perform on later. 🤷🏻♀️
On this one, we worked through different options until my buyer reached terms they understood and were comfortable moving forward with.
And now…
UNDER CONTRACT. 🔑❤️
Every property, market and seller is different. Every buyer’s finances and risk tolerance are different.
The strategy should be different, too.
Educational information only. Offer terms, appraisal provisions and escalation clauses involve contractual and financial considerations and should be evaluated based on the specific transaction. Financing and appraisal requirements are subject to the applicable lender and loan program.
