Buyers can optimize their investment by taking advantage of peak selling periods. Not only are there more homes to pick from, but prices have stabilized and sellers are motivated to sell in the summer to be settled in their new home before school starts.

“The summer months have always been the most active season. There is more inventory to choose from so sellers become more competitive with their prices and incentives. Buyers now have an opportunity to get into the market and to participate in the next upward movement in prices. Getting involved now will allow a homeowner to take advantage of immediate tax benefits and the next cycle of appreciation.”

How can a buyer exploit the low rates, summer selling season and stabilized prices? Here are some strategies to consider:

1. Find out how much the seller paid.
A seller who is going to walk away with a bag full of money might be more willing to negotiate than one who is barely going to pay off what they owe.

2. How many days has the property been on the market?
Sellers who have been on the market for months might be more willing to negotiate than one who is just listed.

3. What is the list-price-to-sales-price ratio in the neighborhood?
Your Realtor can search the sold listings on the MLS to see roughly what percentage of the asking price is a fair offer. In some neighborhoods, sellers might be getting 100 percent, but if they are only typically getting 85 percent.

4. Ask your Realtor for a competitive market analysis for the home you’re considering.
Past sales in the neighborhood are just as valuable to a buyer as a seller.

5. Know your financial limits. Get prequalified.
This should be the first step, before you even start to shop. Shopping without knowing what you’re qualified to borrow is a waste of everyone’s time.

6. Remember, it’s a buyer’s market and everything is negotiable.
Get as much information as possible. Knowledge is power!

Elements of this blog were posted at the beginning of Summer in an online article by the Custom Publishing Group: