How to Choose the Right Buyer When Selling a Home in Seattle

Are you curious about how to choose the right buyer when selling your home in Seattle? I am a top producing listing agent here in Seattle who specializes in Mid-Century Modern homes and unique luxury properties. Over my 25 years of experience of working in Seattle’s real estate market I have seen many sellers have a disappointing experience because they chose the wrong buyer for their home. I hate to say it but sometimes the people who are offering the most amount of money for your home do not typically have the resources to actually follow through and close on that property.

Selling A Home In Seattle

Here is your guide on how to choose the right buyer when selling a home in Seattle. But before we start, check out our very detailed blog about how to sell your home in Seattle. And download our Seattle home seller guide on how to sell your home in Seattle.

Let’s dive in!

Questions To Ask When Choosing The Right Home Buyer When Selling A Home In Seattle

I work very closely with my sellers to make sure that their house attracts the best home buyers in the Seattle market. The best way to choose the right buyer for your home in Seattle is to start by asking the following questions.

Questions I ask when reviewing an offer for one of my seller’s homes to find the best buyer for their Seattle home:

Is the buyer pre-approved for a home loan and/or have verifiable cash to purchase the home and cover any potential appraisal issues?
Has the buyer gone through the full underwriting process if they are getting a home loan to purchase the property?
Does the buyer have enough cash on hand to close the transaction?
What is the buyer’s plan if the lender’s appraisal comes in lower than the agreed upon purchase price?
Does the buyer have additional cash on hand to make up the difference?
Is the buyers cash and down payment in liquid form or is it tied up in investments, gold, artwork, and/or jewelry?
Is the buyer working with an experienced buying real estate professional who can help the buyer understand the process?
Was the contract offered by the buyer clean and shows a vested interest in purchasing the property?
Is the cash for the down payment or to purchase the home in the mainland United States?
Does the buyer love the house?
Why should we choose them as the best buyer to buy my client’s Seattle home?

Questions I Do NOT Ask A Buyer and Their Representative About Why They Want To Buy My Seller’s Home

It is extremely important that the seller chooses the buyer for the home based strictly on financials and the structure of the offer. The seller CANNOT violate any local, state, and federal Fair Housing laws. Team Diva is a fierce advocate for Fair Housing laws and go above and beyond to maintain this standard for our Seattle home sellers. These are questions I do NOT ask a buyer:

Is the buyer from a foreign country?
What religion is the buyer?
Is the buyer a married couple?
Does the buyer want to buy the home for their single daughter?
Are the buyers a gay couple?
Does the buyer have a disability or need special accommodations?
Is the family a jewish family?
What is the HIV/AIDs status of the buyer?
Does the buyer work in tech?

Sellers Need To Follow ALL Local Fair Housing Laws When Selling Their Home In Seattle

The city of Seattle has very robust and strict laws around Fair Housing. Many sellers can violate Fair Housing rules by simply asking “Can the buyer walk to work from this home?” Why? Walking implies that someone is able bodied and violates the disability portion of Fair Housing.

Team Diva is a strong advocate of Fair Housing laws. Chavi teaches Fair Housing and we know the laws in depth both at the city level, state, and federal fair housing laws. Reference this page with the City of Seattle for more information >

How To Choose The Right Buyer For A Home In A Bidding War In Seattle?

Choosing the right buyer to follow through and actually close on your home in a bidding war is an art. Trust me. I have been through multiple seasons of multiple offers for my buyers and sellers during my time in Seattle’s real estate market. I have seen whole transactions fall apart because the seller chose the offer with the most amount of money offered but didn’t pay attention to the fact that the buyer couldn’t really afford the home.

Regardless of the market there are a few items that I always check for to make sure my sellers assets are protected during a multiple offer situation.

Here is a quick checklist of items to review when you choose the right buyer to buy your home during a multiple offer in Seattle:

What are the buyers’ finances?
Do the buyers have the down payment or cash liquid now to purchase the home?
Is the cash to close on the home in the mainland of the United States?
What is the timeline for the buyer to do an inspection?
Did the buyer review the title report before making an offer?
Is the buyer working with an experienced buying real estate agent who will help them through this process?
Does the buyer have a lender that is easy to get ahold of and will answer my questions in detail?
Is the buyer expecting the seller to pay for the commission of their representative?
How much money is the buyer putting up for earnest money?
What is the buyer’s plan if the lender’s appraisal comes in below asking?
Does the buyer have enough cash on hand to cover the gap in case of a low appraisal?
Can the buyer get insurance for the home?
Did the buyer and their representative write a clean offer for the seller?

There are also a few other items that are super important to making sure my sellers are well represented in a multiple offer. Give me a shout if you have questions.

Check out our blog “How Seattle Home Sellers Can Evaluate Multiple Offers” for more detailed information. Buyers also need to know how sellers choose an offer. Check out our guide for buyers to win a bidding war for a home in Seattle.

Seattle Home Selling Tips

Over the last ten years we have created a ton of content on everything you need to know about selling your home in Seattle. Core to my process is making sure that my sellers are very educated about the home selling process. I have blogs, videos, personalized walkthrough services, and of course a whole listing prep team who are ready to help you. You want to be the home that buyers have been waiting for. This makes choosing the right buyer for your home in Seattle so much easier because you can cherry pick the very best ones!

Here are a couple of other guides to help you with your home selling journey:

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Your Home In Seattle

How much is my home worth in Seattle? The value of your home is dependent on the location, condition, and any upgrades you have made to the home over the years. Call me if you want a specific evaluation.

Is now a good time to sell a home in Seattle? It is a good time to sell single family homes. Condos and townhouses are a bit tougher to sell but if you have owned them for a long time you will be fine.

How do I choose the right buyer when selling a home in Seattle? Finances, contract terms, quality of agent they are working with, and their willingness to commit to closing on the home.

What should I look for beyond price in an offer? You should look for the terms of the contract around inspections, title review, homeowners’ association review, and seller verification timelines.

How much does it cost to sell a home in Seattle? It costs around $12,000 – $30,000 to prepare your home for the market and you need to add in any listing or brokerage fees if applicable to your situation. For more information check out our blog “How Much Does It Cost To Prepare My Home to Sell.”

Should I stage my home to sell it for more money in Seattle? Yes! Statistically you will sell your home on average for about 5% more than homes that are not staged. For more information check out our blog “Staging Your Home Helps It To Sell For More Money.”

You Have The Tools Now To Choose The Right Buyer For Your Home

I have been in real estate for over 25 years and have a deep understanding of how to match buyers to my listings. There is a technical aspect to this process and there is also an instinct that I have for finding the right buyer for my listings aka Diva Dwellings. Let’s chat and see if I am a good fit for you and your process.

Hopefully I was able to give you some advice on how to choose the right buyer when selling your home in Seattle. As many of you know, I have a very unique perspective in the Seattle real estate market. I have been a top producing listing agent for mid-century modern homes and unique luxury properties for over 25 years here in Seattle. In addition, I have been recognized nationally for my marketing innovation and activism.

Are you looking for a Diva’s perspective to help you sell your unique Seattle home? Call me directly at 206-850-3102 or send me an email at kim@teamdivarealestate.com to chat!