Answers by Reilly Forrest

Great question Charles. Depending on your state and what lenders you work with options vary. A perfect example of this is the Covenant program in WA state which offers buyers up to $150,000, 0% interest down payment and closing costs assistance. I would check with local and state housing commission website for full details on the programs and requirements.

Great question Nora. This is a situation I handle consistently for my clients looking to buy and sell. What I have clients consider regarding this topic would be if you hold off to sell until purchasing a new home, how will your contingent offer effect the probability of you securing your next home? If you were to decide to sell and buy at the same time, do homes sell quickly in your market, or tend to sit for 1+ months on average? A strong consideration would also be what selling first could save you in negotiations on your future purchase, why you may ask? Let say you are buying a home, with a high down payment, and no contingent offer addendum sellers may be much more negotiable in the overall price you pay for the home. Another consideration is you have more leverage to tour at your own pace. More money + less contingencies + no rush of time limits of securing your next home (under contingent paperwork)= More leverage.

Depending on terms. I would evaluate the likelihood of the of the loan falling through based on their financing, reserves and other factors which could impact the sale. For additional leverage, I would suggest negotiating the cash offer closer in price to the one with a mortgage.

Hi Peggy, great question! I just had these same questions for my client who will be listing their home in a few months. The short answer-yes, in our market here on the eastside the best way to get people in the home is a well presented home, with great photos to get people off of their phones looking at your house, and into your house. This is the first step, now assuming you leave the house with your personal items inside, buyers tend to start focusing on who is living there, photos, paint colors, etc which diverts their attention from how they and their family could use the space. In the past, I had a seller refuse to re-paint his bright green room however this became a piece of feedback from most all parties. Upon painting the room to match the rest of the home, we received an offer within weeks after this remediation and closed 3 1/2 weeks later. My honest take- make your home as attractive to majority of the market vs personalized for the strongest probability to receive the most, and strongest offers.