Act fast, think outside the box and be prepared to make a competitive offer. That’s the advice Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty has for aspiring homebuyers.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Founder, President and CEO Linda Sherrer has seen the trends in the Northeast Florida real estate market for many years and said right now most price points are experiencing a seller’s market.

“There are more buyers than sellers in today’s marketplace, and homes are selling quicker than inventory can be replaced in many neighborhoods,” Sherrer said. “The current market is more favorable to sellers. However, buyers who are well organized and ready to move when they find the right home are generally the ones who will close on the home of their dreams.”

In short, a seller’s market means there is more demand than supply. Tight markets create more competition. They also tend to increase sales prices while decreasing the amount of time that homes stay on the market.

The current market is seeing an abundance of buyers. There are several things a buyer can do to ensure their offer has the best chance of being accepted:

1. Get pre-approved prior to submitting an offer. Doing so gives the seller confidence that the buyer is serious.
2. Know the days on the market and list-to-sell ratio of the neighborhoods you are interested in. Your Realtor can provide this information and help you understand what it means.
3. Make it a “clean” offer. If the area in which you wish to purchase is highly competitive, try to have as few contingencies as possible.

This year, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty has worked with more buyers and sellers than ever before. In 2016, the company’s pending sales have increased 10 percent over 2015 results. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty’s 2016 average sales price has increased 13 percent over the previous year. The company’s sales of homes priced above $500,000 has increased by more than 20 percent over last year’s results.

At the same time, the number of existing homes available for sale has fallen 15.3 percent as compared to the previous year, as reported in July 2016 by the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors.

“While the inventory is low, it’s not so low that buyers can’t find their dream home,” said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Broker/Executive Vice President Christy Budnick. “Nevertheless, it is important for buyers to be prepared to increase their odds by submitting a competitive offer.”

Whether you are buying or selling, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty can help you take advantage of the best opportunities in the market. The Northeast Florida real estate firm is home to the area’s most productive, experienced and successful agents and they have a team of professionals to assist their clients in every aspect of the transaction. Connect with the best at www.FloridaNetworkRealty.com.