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I’m often asked by people who like to prey on others how to buy real estate in a
$ y" T& v& t; }& A$ k& jfalling market, like this one. The danger of doing so is that you buy before the 8 r7 z' l1 @; g* C7 D
bottom arrives, and take a capital gains hit. The advantage is you hold absolutely all ( `) q, R7 @) c; a
the cards, and can strike a great deal while the victim-seller is writhing in pain and 4 W. B/ r3 l3 v% t6 R8 e
begging for mercy. That’s the fun part.
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So, don’t ask me if it’s time to buy yet, because you won’t like the answer. But if
: m8 q8 f; l! k9 ] {/ X% b' Y$ Pyou want some tips on being a vulture, for when the moment’s right, then clip this + s$ I/ O! i# y" Q$ a6 t( r
and stick it on the fridge. (By the way, this is another preview of my coming book.)! K9 V% U3 t: G* B' Q5 Q
; M% T2 ~0 G; T* W* Offer what you want to pay, not what the vendor is asking to be paid. With so many
- E2 s: W- a7 i+ g( Q# ? [6 j+ f/ [' Sproperties listed, and so little sales activity, every offer has to be taken
" K2 B9 s3 r" [* h6 _; U4 ]! }& ], Aseriously. Only by writing up an offer on your own terms, at your own price, will you
$ C/ m" z% U4 m+ }/ P+ kget a sign-back showing the true level of desperation you’re dealing with.
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* Always submit the offer with a deposit cheque, which is like putting a shiny lure on * f! x" D* h O1 ~2 J* X: @$ f
the end of your fishing line. However, the offer must stipulate the cheque is not ( a; a; n4 A- d8 @/ A6 d) g4 ~4 w! e" S
cashable until a firm and binding agreement is reached. So, it means nothing, while 7 c; n- d# n& K6 x
having a powerful psychological impact.
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, [+ y2 z! S! _+ G* Throw in as many conditions as you want. This will create an offer that is
) G+ A1 m, A/ l( pcompletely tailored to your needs and wants while providing elements you can remove in
3 l* N9 L* R0 s# g4 p# morder to gain things you truly want. So, for example, make the offer conditional on
+ M! I, z6 D/ m: qthe vendors paying all your closing costs, including land transfer tax. While you
& r) G; L& U+ Enever expect that to happen, you can remove it during negotiations in order to get 8 ~6 b0 y# U. P6 U/ h
what you do want and expect, which is a bargain price.' m% {1 s# m. W ~) |1 u5 R
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* Ditto for conditions giving you time to arrange financing or even to sell another
& G& B" L0 a+ d9 F4 F+ Jproperty – they are both traditional deal-breakers, and the vendor’s agent will know ' S5 ~( A5 }7 N* Z8 v% R+ h t0 D
that immediately. So, by reluctantly removing them you move far closer to getting that ' B {0 t! a; ]
price.1 `4 d; y4 @( I* y/ i# [+ h$ y* s
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* Best, however, to insist on a home inspection. This condition should give you five 3 ?% [3 f7 V8 ]2 B
business days to complete the process, and is normally done at the purchaser’s
" P" {1 z4 v$ {) a: wexpense. The reason you want this is because almost all properties need some kind of
* I4 R8 E# K5 f, t. Ework done in order to make them perfect, and when you get the inspector’s report you ; ] k" J& C$ ^& l% w( w
have leverage to help you drive down the price. Simply get an estimate of the cost of
! ] M$ S) k/ P$ h" I& }the repairs and ask for the deal to be rewritten with a price reduced by that amount.
& }+ K8 W1 s( A0 Q% JSince the vendor knows the condition is entirely for your benefit and the deal will
k! u" R, u; L" ?; t( M' _2 Adie unless you sign a waiver, well, guess what? Vulture.
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6 g9 v! A) U+ C2 \ W3 w* And remember that the closing date is also an important poker chip to play. Have * x/ ?" a) `7 j0 y' |* I
your agent find out what the vendor wants, and then use that to help leverage the
1 r6 J8 S% A8 ^) j0 xprice down. Additionally, you can throw any assets you see around the property into
/ B5 ]9 A. A0 O4 c6 Yyour offer – power tools, appliances, lawn tractor, Harley-Davidson, whatever. The - c3 e* z/ v: q2 W& ]
more you put in, the more clutter there is for the vendor to wade through, and the
1 P& `/ k: n$ b# Ebetter chance you have of securing the best deal.% W: O/ h* } H
8 C0 c+ i5 }/ o* O5 c* Speaking of which, why not make two offers at the same time on two competing
" p- A+ t4 O9 Z9 y7 mproperties, and then let that fact be known (through your agent) to the vendor? That - t# C( W3 k* k$ R" v( K4 R
will add even more pressure to the poor guy, as he tries to figure out what he must do 8 c2 h/ k+ }7 I$ K5 J
to save the deal, and give you what you want. This may be cruel and unusual, but just ! x, h4 ]5 O$ P, r1 @8 D
consider it payback for all those multiple-offer situations greedy vendors placed : T4 ?0 u: E3 a& X3 x/ Y0 l+ m T* m
buyers in during the bubble years.
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* And, of course, you can make a low-ball offer, get a sign-back, and then just let it
O% l. C$ Z% T' m. r$ L0 |: tdie. Wait a week and go back in with another one, for the same low price. Odds are you * g" t y' w g/ o$ e& M5 g9 y: g
will not get the same response this time. The stressed-out vendor may hate you, but
6 h& H* @( u: B+ ?. y1 E, o9 Uhe’ll close. |
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