It’s every buyer’s nightmare: You finally find your dream house, then it’s featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and now everyone has found their dream home.                       

Mike and Amy wanted this Eichler with full Bay views and a pool badly. When it became clear that there were going to be a lot of offers from buyers who also “just had to have it”, I knew we needed a winning strategy.                  

I kept in constant contact with the listing agent, a practice often overlooked or neglected by agents who are “too busy” for this behind-the-scenes work. The agent and her sellers therefore knew we had done our homework and understood the good and bad parts of the house. This communication continued after the offer was submitted, which allowed my buyers to move quickly and adjust their offer. This close communication also built trust with the listing agent and her sellers. An offer is not only about the highest number. It includes “soft” factors like the level of buyer commitment and clarity going into the deal. The highest number from a “flaky” buyer or agent will often lose to a slightly lower number from solid partners 

Strong negotiating and a well executed plan from the beginning means Mike and Amy are watching the sun set over the San Francisco skyline this evening.