Why its a real estate problem, not a mortgage problem

If you’re trying to buy a home, you’re preapproved, and you’ve been making offers, but you keep losing out because you have multiple offers, here are some things you need to consider. 1st things 1st, this is provided that your loan is fully intact, that you are well qualified, and that the loan essentially is guaranteed. Once that element is in place it becomes a function of you in your cache and what you must work with or, lack thereof. Perhaps the real estate agent selling you to the terms of the buyer or selling you to the terms of the seller. It’s not a function of changing the loan program.

Here’s what the reality of it looks like. Let’s say you’re in a particularly competitive real estate market and you’re looking at a house price point around $275,325 which in most markets is a very competitive price point. Let’s say that your pre-approved and all you must work with for a $300,000 purchase price is $10,000 which is the 3 and a 1/2 percent down payment in this example. Closing costs on the size of the purchase were probably another $7,000 maybe $7,500 depending on the area in which you’re buying. Say you’ve made 5 or 6 offers and you keep losing because there are multiple offers at prices around the $300,000 price point. Well, the answer is don’t point the finger at the loan program because the issue is you can’t get into a contract. You need a solar credit for closing costs and in this market while it’s not impossible to get, it’s very difficult. The only advantage you have is to either make a shorter priced offer, release alone contingency sooner, or in a president’s contingency sooner put an expiration on your offer, ask for a gift from family, Built-in a purchase price credit for closing costs. It’s not automatically necessarily a function of changing loan programs when the loan program is already in place when to get into a contract you need to fix one of the other elements.

Stay the course it might be difficult, and it might take a while to get into a contract but if you keep your nose to the grindstone, it will happen. You just need to have a realistic agent fight aggressively for you. They must roll up their sleeves and do what it takes to get you into contract on the house which means selling you to the other side. If the real estate agent you’re working with not doing that, well it might be time to change real estate agents depending on how you feel and how they’re working for you or not. It also might mean you having to bite the bullet so to speak and offer a little bit more on the house to get into a contract to beat out the other offers. You must make an offer automatically higher to offset the solar credit for closing costs. Or you bite the bullet again and go to mom, dad, your brother, your sister, or any family member, swallow your pride and ask for the credit and/or the gift money for the closing costs. This way gives you a fighting competitive chance. What it boils down to is you must concede by swallowing your pride and asking for help from family for example for the additional money for the closing costs. Borrowing that money for example or being willing to take a slightly higher mortgage payment on a higher-priced house to generate an offset for the credit for closing costs which the seller contributes, or you need a real estate agent that’s willing to be aggressive on your behalf and fight for you to make it happen.

A variable of changing loan programs, while it sounds fine and dandy for example switching from an FHA 3 and a 1/2 percent down to a dumb payment assistance loan is not the answer. The reason why it’s not the answer is that most of those programs have not only income constraints but also contain higher interest rates because there’s no such thing as a free lunch. It’s a dream that the payment will be higher on a down payment assistance program if you can even qualify for a dump payment assistance program then it would be by paying more for the house and getting a solid credit for closing costs and having your real estate agent muscle up on their negotiation skills for your benefit.

Looking to get a mortgage? Start with a no-cost loan quote today!

 

RELATED MORTGAGE ADVICE FROM SCOTT SHELDON

Side-by-side comparison of FHA and conventional loans with highlights of key differences, including PMI and down payments

FHA Loan vs. Conventional Loan: Which Is Best for Your Home Purchase?

Deciding between an FHA loan and a conventional loan for your home purchase is an…

Image of a modern house with a document titled 'Refinance Agreement' and a split keychain symbolizing a divorce settlement. The scene includes subtle financial elements like a calculator and pen, emphasizing the mortgage refinancing process

How to Structure a Divorce Buyout as a Limited Cash-Out Refinance with Fannie Mae

Divorce is already an emotional and challenging process, and figuring out how to handle property…

A vibrant depiction of the Sonoma County real estate market, showcasing modern single-family homes surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills under a clear blue sky, symbolizing opportunities with the 2025 conforming loan limits increase.

2025 Conforming Loan Limits Rise: Boosting Opportunities for Sonoma County Homebuyers and Sellers

2025 Conforming Loan Limits: What It Means for Sonoma County Buyers and Sellers The Federal…

Graph showing mortgage rate trends over time with a highlighted target strike rate, accompanied by a calculator and pen, symbolizing refinancing decisions

How to Decide Your Strike Rate for Refinancing: A Guide to Market Improvements and Timing

When it comes to refinancing your mortgage, knowing your strike rate—the interest rate at which…

View More from The Mortgage Files:

begin your mortgage journey with sonoma county mortgages

Let us make your mortgage experience easy. Trust our expertise to get you your best mortgage rate. Click below to start turning your home dreams into reality today!