While some folks can’t make sense of a move up or down, there are others who have specific wants/needs, and are willing to forge ahead – if they can just sell their existing home and pour their equity into the next one.
I’m three for three this year with contingent sales already, and I wouldn’t be surprised if half of my sales in 2019 will involve contingent buyers.
The challenge gets more complex when multiple sales are contingent! They stack up like dominoes, all dependent on sales on either side to be completed successfully – and risk all crashing if a problem pops up that can’t be solved.
Up to now, listing agents and sellers haven’t had to deal with contingent buyers because we’ve had enough non-contingent buyers to go around. Not any more.
The #1 reason sellers and listing agents should consider a contingent offer?
Contingent buyers pay more.
They know they are asking a favor, and in effect, they are purchasing a favor.
Plus, their purchase is contingent upon them selling their house (read: getting the price they want), so everybody gets what they want. Win-win!
Contingent sales can be highly speculative, however, and our existing system doesn’t provide a safety net, so there is a risk that every seller could get left holding the bag.
How can we tighten these up?
- Have buyers obtain full loan approval. At least if the buyers are fully approved by the mortgage underwriter, that concern is satisfied. A pre-qual letter isn’t solid enough to tie up a property.
- Review the lender downstream. If there is a chain of contingent sales domino-ed together, let’s take a good look at everyone’s lender letter – because we’re all in it together.
- Review the agents downstream. Is everyone competent? If my sale is reliant upon an agent downstream finding and solving problems, then it’s not asking too much to know who it is. What else have they sold lately?
- Supply comps and photos of contingent properties. Every agent involved should know – and get to render their opinion – on the price/value of the other homes in line.
- Bridge loans. Bridge loans are out there, and Compass should have a good alternative ready before too long. A fantastic option that solves everything.
There is another viable alternative that every contingent-buyer should consider: Selling your home first. The immediate reaction is usually the same – I don’t want to be left homeless, or I don’t want to have to move twice, which is understandable.
But we do have the seller contingency that allows us to find a suitable buyer for your home while not binding the seller to move until they find suitable housing:
Our ability to master the contingent sale will probably make or break the market this year. Without them, will there be enough buyers with the equity, desire, and ability to keep the party going? It’s doubtful.
Most realtors, let alone buyers and sellers, are unfamiliar with contingent sales. But this is where our creativity will pay off in a challenging market!
