With the prediction of bidding wars coming back to the Lake Tahoe real estate scene (it is already happening in other parts of the U.S.), it is a good time to figure out how to win the heart of a seller if you are serious about buying a Tahoe Keys home in 2015. Buying a home in Lake Tahoe doesn’t have to be like a romance movie, where the nice guy does all the right things and the girl still picks the rude millionaire. There are things you can do to make you, and your family, stand out above the competition and ultimately get picked for the home.

Write a genuine letter

Writing a letter to the home seller is a very common practice that has been around for a long time. For good reason too, as this is very effective. So long as it is genuine and not generic. Since this is such a common practice supported by many Realtors, you don’t want your letter to sound like the rest of the stack. Pick out specific things you love about the home, and add in specific things about you and your family and why you find those details so perfect. Creating a sense of nostalgia in the seller can go a long way. In fact, if you plan to do a ton of upgrades, leave that detail out of the letter. Why remodeling is a popular activity among buyers, most sellers don’t like the idea of their home being completely gutted, even if they know deep down that is probably what will happen after they turn over the keys. Also, make the letter personal. Add a video or a couple photos of you and your family. Make sure that you showcase who you really are and not what you think the seller wants.

Be nice

Even though you are not dealing directly with the seller, you still need to be nice and have manners if you want to get their attention. Through your Realtor, use strong communication, be sincere and lay off the ridiculous demands. Please and Thank You go a long way. Be understanding if a seller isn’t available for an inspection or a showing. After all, when you are understanding in the preliminary stage, you let them know that you are going to be easy to deal with during negotiations in the closing stage.

Get pre-approved

This is something both a Realtor and a seller appreciate. Also, there is a difference between pre qualification and getting pre approved, and one is better compared to the other. When you get pre approved, you know exactly how much money you have to spend and you are ready to go. When you are pre-qualified, you simply get a guestimate based on your income on what you might get approved for. Having a buyer that is serious is very attractive to a seller, especially since a lot of buyers still don’t get pre approved before looking. This is another action that will set you apart from the crowd.

Find a quality Realtor

This may just be the most important factor. Not only does working with a quality Realtor ensure accurate communication flow between camps, you also have someone who is going to work their hardest for a smooth transaction. Realtors know each other, and a good reputation and track record goes a long way. Honesty, professionalism and reliability are a just a few basics to look for in your Tahoe Keys Realtor. If you are looking to buy a home in Lake Tahoe, call Peter Delilli at 530-308-4331.