How to Navigate a Contingent Sale

Navigating the purchase of a new home while selling your current one can be daunting. Most homeowners need the equity from their current house sale to finance their next purchase, otherwise, they may need to secure a HELOC or face the possibility of double mortgage payments.

To ensure a successful contingent sale, focus on:

  • Implementing a proven Sell-Buy Strategy

  • Engaging in comprehensive advance planning

  • Actively managing the transaction process

  • Hire an experienced broker

If you’re considering a contingent offer, continue reading to kickstart your planning.

Things to Consider When Making a Contingent Offer

A few years ago it was virtually impossible to find a seller who would accept a contingent offer. Thankfully, the market has shifted and today most sellers will accept a well structured contingent offer. The keys to getting your contingent offer accepted and closed are: thorough advance planning, implementation and execution of a proven Sell-Buy strategy, strategic pricing, first-class marketing, and proactive transaction management. Following are some of the topics we’ll discuss during a pre-listing consultation when considering a contingent offer.

Equity Assessment

During our pre-listing consultation we’ll determine a value range for your house in the current market and calculate the estimated net proceeds from the sale. This tells you how much equity you’ll have to apply to your next home. This combined with your pre-approval tells us the budget range for your next home. It’s smart to be conservative when calculating this estimate.

 

Pricing Strategies

Accurately pricing your home to is essential to get a contingent offer accepted and to get the property sold with the contingency guidelines. This doesn’t mean giving the home away … it means that you have to have realistic expectations about what your home will sell for in the current market and that price has to generate teh equity needed for your upcoming purchase.

 

Home Inspection

Getting a pre-listing home inspection is always a good idea, but when making a contingent offer, it’s an absolute must. You need to know before going on market, if there are major issues with your home that a potential buyer will ask to be repaired before closing. This enables us to price the home correctly and prevents a sale fail due to unexpected repair issues that cause a buyer to terminate the contract.

Repairs

The pre-listing inspection identifies any deal-breaking issues. Some repairs need to be addressed before going on market, while others can be factored into the price. The five issues that scare buyers: water in the crawl space, mold due to water intrusion, foundation problems, roof issues, and sewer lines. If the pre-listing inspection identifies any of these issues, they need to a resolved before listing or accounted for in the pricing.

Cutting Edge Marketing

The final step to closing a contingent purchase is getting your home sold at the right price within the contingency timelines. To set the stage we take professional photographs and videos to showcase your home at it’s best. Then hire an industry leading marketing firm to markets your home to potential buyers on Facebook and other social media channels. The goal is to sell quickly for top dollar.

 

Finding the Right Home

To find the right home we work closely with you to identify the location, style, price range and amenities of your next home. Based on your equity assessment and the pre-approval from your lender, we identify all the homes for sale that match your parameters. Then we schedule appointments and view homes. During our first few showings we refine your wishlist and continue the search until we find your new home.

 
 

Meet

James Bradley

A contingent purcahse can be stressful. To reduce stress hire a broker who understands your concerns, goals, and timelines and works closely with you to create a customized Sell-Buy strategy that works for you. We work one-on-one with you and handle all the paperwork, negotiations, marketing, and manage the transactions from start to finish. This enables you to focus on packing and getting ready to move to your new home.

Watch the video to learn more.

Why People Work With Us

Fall Seller Guide<br />

Click the image above to download your FREE Seller Guide

Personalized Expertise

We specialize in helping homeowners transition to the next stage of homeownership. Whether you’re downsizing, relocating, or looking for a more accessible home, we offer personalized, one-on-one guidance throughout the entire process. Our journey begins by meeting to discuss your concerns, goals, and potential timelines.

Trusted Real Estate Advisor

We help you make informed decisions that align with your long-term financial goals, ensuring peace of mind and ultimate satisfaction. Whether it’s unlocking home equity, understanding the benefits of refinancing, or finding the perfect next home, our team is there to guide you through the entire process. We provide personalized support, tailored strategies, and the latest market insights to empower you every step of the way, making the journey smooth and rewarding.

Stress-Free Selling and Buying Process

With state-of-the-art marketing strategies tailored to highlight the unique features of your property, we maximize the value of your current home. Our team diligently handles all paperwork, ensuring every document is meticulously reviewed and filed. We negotiate on your behalf to secure the best possible deal, assuring a hassle-free experience from start to finish. Our personalized, one-on-one, full-service approach allows you to focus on your upcoming move while we manage all the transaction details.

How to Get Started

Where Should I Start

Schedule a Consultation

In this one-on-one session, we’ll review the listing and purchase processes. Topics include: agency laws, broker compensation, purchase and sale agreements, seller disclosure statements, homeowner associations (HOAs), home inspections, repairs, closing costs, appraisals, market conditions, and more. After we cover the legal stuff we move on to defining your next home and setting up your custom home search.

Plan Compass 1 scaled

Build a Custom Strategy

Whether you’re thinking about downsizing, upsizing, relocating closer to family, or finding a home that better fits your current lifestyle, it’s essential to use a proven Sell/Buy strategy. After we clarify your concerns, goals, and timelines, we’ll build a customized Sell and/or Buy strategy that will sell your current home for top dollar and find your next home, when the time is right for you.

Woman packing

Find Your New Home and Start Packing

After the paperwork is signed, our team will get to work preparing photos, videos, print materials, and social media campaigns to sell your home for the best possible price. Simultaneously, we’ll work with you to find your new home, negotiate the price, and manage the entire transaction process. We’ll manage all the paperwork and negotiations, so you can focus on packing and preparing for your move.

What Our Customers Say

Hear from our satisfied customers who have experienced the quality of our service.

5 Star

In my case, I was moving to the Portland area from Seattle. Jim was very knowledgeable about the various neighborhoods and savvy about what to look for with the various listings. In addition, given the market and my price point, this effort took a while. Jim was patient, encouraging, accommodating and steadfast. I couldn’t have done it without him. I recommend him wholeheartedly.

Brigitta Remole

5 Star

Jim helped my husband and I purchase our new home and sell our old home, both in Vancouver. We appreciated Jim’s calm demeanor and pragmatic guidance throughout both transactions. He patiently answered our questions and kept us well informed at every stage. Jim exemplifies integrity and professionalism at its best. We will continue to highly recommend him.

Thanks, Jim!

Ellen Jones

5 Star

Jim is the best broker I’ve met in my life. He is very knowledgeable in his craft and he cares to create relationships. Unlike most brokers, he doesn’t just try to get you to buy as fast as possible, he cares to find the best house you could have. He listened to the details that mattered to me (and boy was the list long), he nervously said let’s find you the perfect house, and he did! He grasped my style/taste right away, which I think is very important to keep efficient and not waste time in the search. He’s honest, friendly, funny, and a delight to work with. Couldn’t recommend him enough.

Naira Avy

FAQ

What's My Home Worth?
The price of a home is dictated by current market conditions, specifically the balance between the supply of homes for sale and the demand from buyers ready and willing to purchase. When there are more homes than buyers, it’s a buyer’s market. Conversely, when buyers outnumber available homes, it’s a seller’s market.

When it’s time to sell, every seller aims to secure the highest price for their home. To achieve this, our team conducts a comprehensive market analysis. We evaluate recent sales in your area, assess current market competition, consider interest rates, gauge buyer demand, and examine the condition and unique features of your property. Afterward, we present you with multiple pricing strategies, allowing you to choose the best fit. Once we reach an agreement, the SkyBlue Team dedicates itself to selling your home for top dollar.

For a quick estimate of your home’s current market value, try our FREE Home Analysis.

When's the Best Time to Sell?

If you’re considering selling your home, you might wonder, “When is the right time to sell?” Traditionally, February through July are ideal months due to heightened buyer activity. However, in today’s market, homes sell year-round. Ultimately, the best time to sell depends on your personal goals and timelines.

Should I Invest in Upgrading My House Prior to Selling?
Deciding which home improvements offer the best returns can be complex, as not all upgrades are equal. In the current market, we recommend avoiding major investments if you plan to sell your home within five years. Instead, focus on minor updates that can enhance your home’s appeal, helping it sell faster and at a better price.

 

To identify the most effective strategy for your needs, schedule a complimentary pre-selling walkthrough of your home. During this assessment, we’ll evaluate your home from a buyer’s perspective and suggest cost-effective repairs or upgrades, if necessary, to consider before listing.

Offers & Negotiation
Congratulations, someone wants to purchase your home! Or, if you’re fortunate, you might have multiple offers on the table. The offer stage is one of the most exhilarating parts of the sales process. Whether you receive the ideal offer right away, need to choose between several offers, or engage in extended negotiations with a difficult buyer, we are here to manage all negotiations on your behalf. Our expertise includes reviewing offers, vetting buyers and their agents, liaising with lenders, and skillfully negotiating. We present all offers to you and negotiate with the most suitable buyers to secure the best price and terms.

In every transaction, three crucial negotiation points arise. The first is the offer to purchase, which encompasses the purchase price, down payment, earnest money, closing date, inspections, and rent backs, among others. The second is the buyer’s repair negotiation, especially critical if you’re selling or buying an older home. The third involves potential negotiations following the appraisal.

 

With our years of experience, we are also Certified Negotiation Experts. This certification signifies that we possess the skills and real-world experience necessary to negotiate effectively on your behalf, ensuring you receive the best possible price and terms.

How do I Sell and Buy a Home at the Same Time?
Most of us need the equity in our current home to purchase our a next one. Selling and buying simultaneously eliminates the need for a bridge loan, avoids the burden of two mortgage payments, and bypasses the hassle of moving into a rental before settling into a new home.

During the pandemic, sellers rarely accepted contingent offers. However, with the market shift, well-structured contingent offers are now welcome.

Thankfully, the SkyBlue Team is experienced in navigating this process and can guide you through a successful Sell-Buy transition. For more information, visit: [How to Sell and Buy a Home at the Same Time](https://skyblueportland.com/how-to-sell-and-buy-a-home-at-the-same-time/)

Schedule Your Consultation

James Bradley

Text or Phone

971-248-3982

Email

jim@skyblue-portland.com

Address

5000 Meadows Road Suite 150 Lake Oswego  OR 97035