Have a Destin House to Sell Before You Buy? Strategies Here!

Wendy Rulnick — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 19:21:40 +0000

I recently had a Destin Florida home listed where the seller accepted a contract contingent on the buyer’s house house selling. This is always a predicament for the buyer. When his house sells, he may use the profits as a down payment on a new home. He may also need to sell his current house to qualify for a mortgage on another property, because the payment on the existing house will be eliminated. He cannot, however, buy a new home unless his current Destin home is sold. The problem with this strategy is that most sellers are not comfortable with a home sale “contingency” contract. What can you, if you are the buyer, do in this situation? Here are a few ideas:

1. Sell your existing house and move into a temporary home, then look for another house.

2. Sell your existing house and “rent back” from the buyer until you find a new home.

3. Make your offer contingent on your house selling with a “Right of First Refusal“. This will allow the current Destin sellers to keep their home on the market. The standard Florida Association of Realtors contract states that should the seller accept another offer, he will present it to you with the personal information and price redacted. You will then have 72 hours to remove your contingency and deposit additional earnest money. If you don’t, your contract will be terminated and the other contract will move into first position.

4. Offer the seller a strong purchase price and a non-refundable deposit to take his property off the market. Why? Put yourself in the seller’s place. It is a risk for them to “wait” for your home to sell. It may not sell at all, or it could take a long time. If they take their home off the market, they may lose another buyer. By offering them a non-refundable deposit, you are making your offer more attractive.

5. Finally, if you are confident in your Destin area Emerald Coast of Florida home sale and have the financial wherewithal, you may be able to get a bridge loan for temporary financing that you can pay off or convert when your home sells.

If you need to sell your Destin home in order to buy another, contact me for more ideas.

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Call 850-259-0422
Email Wendy: [email protected]

The post Have a Destin House to Sell Before You Buy? Strategies Here! first appeared on Rulnick Realty.

Want to Sell? Don’t be Seen or Heard (And Your Little Dog, too)

Wendy Rulnick — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 17:05:06 +0000

I always advise my sellers to leave the house when there is a showing. That philosophy was recently reinforced to me when I was house-shopping in Destin, Florida. I set an appointment to view a home for myself and my husband. The house would be vacant and open for us, according to the listing agent. We drove up, parked in front and went to the door. I gave a courtesy “knock” before turning the handle, then heard dogs barking. Not a good sign.

The seller answered the door, holding back several large jumping dogs. Here is what I was thinking as the “buyer”.

“Dogs! All I see are dogs trying to jump on me! Where is the house? I wanted to relax when I walked in, taking in the feeling of the home.”

Next, the seller pulled the dogs away, introduced herself, and said she could hold them while we “started” in the kitchen, then she would lock them in there.

“Great! I have to look at the kitchen first. I cannot even look at the foyer. Oh, she’s not leaving. She’s going to stay during the showing. Wonderful. I haven’t had a chance to think about the house since she answered the door.”

We hustled through the kitchen, knowing the seller was making an effort to control her dogs. I didn’t like it. I couldn’t verbalize my thoughts to my husband, as the seller was within ear shot. After she put the dogs in the kitchen she proceeded to tell us about all the improvements to the house. That’s when I noticed the music… I suppose it was what the seller liked.

“What is that blaring music? I just want to look at the house.”

She followed us from room to room. When I needed to tell my husband something privately, such as a remodeling idea, I would waive to him to follow me. I think the seller thought it was odd. When we got a one minute “break” it was a lot. We learned the cost of construction of the home, and what a great value it was. We couldn’t “re-build” it for that price, we were told. And on and on.

When we left, we eliminated the house. If the seller hadn’t been there, it would have made a better impression. With the seller there, it took away the buyer’s free “eyes” for the property. The dogs and distraction immediately upon entering were another “take away”.

If you really want to sell your house, don’t be present during showings. Don’t meet and greet the buyers, “while” you are leaving or taking the dogs out. You should already be gone. Don’t play your music. If you have to be home, don’t be seen or heard, just be “sold”.

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Call toll-free 1-877-487-9639 or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: [email protected]

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in “Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine” and “Florida Realtor Magazine”. She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects ofshort sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more. She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States. Wendy Rulnick sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Panama City Beach, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field.

The post Want to Sell? Don’t be Seen or Heard (And Your Little Dog, too) first appeared on Rulnick Realty.

Destin home selling - Rulnick Realty

Have a Destin House to Sell Before You Buy? Strategies Here!

Want to Sell? Don’t be Seen or Heard (And Your Little Dog, too)