Tag Archive for: Seller Representation

What’s the Best Way to Sell My Home in Grand Junction?

If you’re asking what the best way to sell my home in Grand Junction is, you’re looking for more than a traditional agent. You want a smarter way to walk away with more money, and who could blame you? Unfortunately, most Grand Junction sellers miss out on top dollar home sales because the traditional agents they hire focus on pricing over strategy and most sellers unknowingly follow their lead.

“Let’s start high to test the market, that way we are assured to get the best price possible. We can always reduce the price later.”

Purposely adding in a negotiation buffer is a quick way to become shopworn and eventually receive less than you deserve. I would rather you turn an offer away than never receive one to begin with.

Pushing the boundaries of what comparable homes have sold for only works when there is real strategy beyond pricing. Strategy that positions your home as the logical choice among all the homes currently available to educated buyers.

Don’t buy the line that the market is “just slow right now”, it’s almost always slow for a traditionally listed home. The market has always been selective about which homes sell quickly and for top dollar. Your home might not be immune to the market’s rules, but your listing process can be.

Selling your home can be stressful, but the right strategy removes guesswork and maximizes your return.

What Grand Junction Home Sellers are Saying

“Working with Paul was an outstanding experience from start to finish. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the market and brings a level of experience and professionalism that immediately puts you at ease. He’s organized, hardworking, and always quick to respond — which made a stressful process feel much more manageable.

What really sets Paul apart is his proactive approach. He didn’t just list the house and hope for the best. He came in with a clear strategy, helped with thoughtful staging, and found creative ways to market the home so it truly stood out.

Most importantly, Paul genuinely cares about his clients and the outcome. You can tell he’s fully invested and working hard on your behalf. We felt very lucky to have him guiding us through the sale and would recommend him without hesitation.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 -Rachel Nelson Sold a Single-Family home in 2026 in Grand Junction, CO. (Original review on my Zillow® profile)

Want to see how this strategy works for your home? Schedule a free consultation today.

Traditional Agent Point of View

Most agents will tell you one thing: We can price your home at whatever you want, the right buyer will eventually come along.

Here’s the truth: That’s how you leave thousands of dollars on the table.

Selling a home in Grand Junction isn’t about listing it online and hoping for buyers. It’s about pricing strategically, proper preparation, and prime positioning. Most traditional agents treat homes like commodities. I treat them like a product launch, and I make the market compete for yours.

If you want top dollar, less stress, and a strategy that actually works when you sell your home in Grand Junction, keep reading.

There are 6 Key Areas to Focus on For Receiving Top Dollar When Selling a Home in Grand Junction.

  1. Collaborating with your agent to strategically price your home
  2. Preparation and professional staging of your home to be the logical choice
  3. Positioning you to have the upper hand in negotiations
  4. Taking advantage of the critical “First Impression Period”
  5. Only accepting offers with real intent and avoiding “Failed Sales”
  6. Working with a Home Sold for MORE™ agent

Pricing Strategy for Selling your Grand Junction Home

Let’s Break Down How to Determine Proper Pricing:

Start by Determining the Right Pricing Segment

Proper pricing doesn’t begin with the price you want. It begins with determining what a buyer will pay, and determining what a buyer will pay begins with discovering the correct pricing segment your eventual buyer will likely come from. These pricing segments are the “price range” buyers are searching, i.e., $450,000 to $500,000. Criteria for buyer search pricing segments generally start at $50,000 increments and gradually rise to $100,000 or more as the home value increases.

If you price your home just over any critical range by only a few thousand, you risk attracting the wrong category of buyer. Knowing your home is worth $490,000 by analyzing the comparable sales and pricing in “room for negotiations” at $509,000 generally attracts buyers hoping to purchase between $500,000 and $550,000. And guess what…your home doesn’t compete with the other properly priced homes in that segment.

Your home sits on the market, only to be reduced to $500,000 after 30 days, but by this time the damage is done. Your home is slightly stigmatized in the eyes of the buyer pool and agents alike. Buyer showings slow dramatically, seller anxiety increases, and a buyer’s mentality turns from paying top dollar to wondering how low you might go because your home has obviously been rejected by the market. This is not how you get top dollar for a home in the Grand Junction Market.

Analyzing Showing Activity within the Correct Price Range

Once you’ve chosen a pricing segment, it’s important to analyze the showing activity. I can show you the exact number of showings in your pricing segment down to $5000 increments. This way you can analyze what exact price range the current buyer pool is focusing their attention on. Strategically pricing to obtain the maximum number of showings, in the correct pricing segment, is how you get top dollar when you sell a home in Grand Junction.

Prepare and Stage Your Home to Be the Buyer’s First Choice

If you’re wondering how to sell your home in Grand Junction, there’s one costly mistake to avoid. It usually starts with a comment like this from your agent:

“Your home looks great—let’s get it on the market right away.”

Sounds flattering, right? But that’s the classic “Just Listed” approach. It’s how traditional agents leave sellers money on the table. No strategy. No plan. Just hope.

In 25+ years of helping homes sell for more, I’ve never walked into a single home that couldn’t have benefited from professional staging advice. This doesn’t mean your home isn’t wonderful, it simply proves that how you live in a home and how you sell a home are two completely different things.

Why “Just Listed” Fails

Homes don’t sell for more because they’re listed, they sell for more because they’re positioned correctly before hitting the market. Buyers decide fast. If your home feels too personal, cluttered, or hard to imagine as theirs, you lose emotional connection. Fewer offers. Less competition. Lower price.

The Smarter Approach: Homes Sold for MORE™

With my trademarked Homes Sold for MORE™ approach, I don’t just list homes. I prepare them to win. One of my most powerful tools? Professional Resale Staging.

What is Professional Resale Staging?

professional staging services on this Grand Junction Listing I sold

Professional Staging was used on this property I sold in Grand Junction

This is the process where I connect you with a Professional Resale Staging consultant that will utilize the belongings you currently have in your home to create emotional attachment for buyers which maximizes offers. Small, strategic changes like furniture placement, decluttering, depersonalizing, repainting very personal colors, or highlighting key features—can have a massive impact on both sale price and time on market.

The Truth About Staging in the Grand Valley

Here’s the hard truth: most traditional agents in the Grand Valley have little to no real experience with professional home staging. It’s not entirely their fault—Professional Resale Staging simply isn’t a standard practice here like it is in larger cities that I’ve worked in.

Many top Grand Junction agents claim to offer staging services, but they still think staging means:

  • Bringing in a teammate to play good cop/bad cop
  • Giving a few opinions on furniture placement
  • Cleaning your home

That’s not staging. That’s guessing.

I’ve been working with Professional Resale Stagers since 2004, on nearly every listing. Because staging is part of the strategy from day one, not a last-minute afterthought.

Why Professional Staging Expertise Matters for Getting a Top Dollar Home Sale in Grand Junction

kitchen and dining room of staged home in Grand Junction

Do you see clutter on the refrigerator doors?

Real staging is done by trained professionals who understand:

  • Buyer psychology
  • Visual flow – in person and online
  • How to make any space feel like home and create emotional attachment

This is what turns showings into offers… and offers into higher sale prices.

I work with a lot of relocation buyers (coming from larger metropolitan cities) looking to purchase in the Grand Valley and the number one comment I consistently hear is:

“These homes you’re showing us don’t seem to be market ready.”

Let’s be honest: Just because an agent has a real estate license and they rearranged their bedroom every summer growing up does not qualify them to stage a home for top dollar. An agent “helping move things around” isn’t a strategy, it’s a risk to your bottom line.

Homes Sold for More sign over generic sold signYou have two choices for your Grand Junction Home Sale:

  1. Get your home “Just Listed” fast, and hope it sells
  2. Strategically prepare your home and sell it for more

In the Grand Junction market, the homes that command top dollar aren’t rushed to market, they’re strategically prepared to win before they ever hit the market.

If you want to maximize your sale price and sell faster, the smartest move is simple:

Start early. Stage professionally. Sell for more.

Seller Tip: Don’t Wait to Involve a Realtor®

The second biggest mistake sellers make is thinking it’s too early to get a Realtor® involved. If you’re hiring a traditional agent, that may be true, as they often focus on listing quickly instead of preparing for top dollar.

With my Homes Sold for MORE™ approach, the earlier you start, the better your bottom line. Many of my clients call me months in advance to give themselves plenty of time to implement the staging plan, position their home correctly, and maximize offers.

Need your home on the market quickly? Don’t worry, you’ll be amazed at how fast we can work together to get everything in order without sacrificing results.

Positioning you to have the upper hand in negotiations

Unlike traditional agents, I firmly believe that negotiations start before your home is even listed for sale. You gain the upper hand when your home is prepared strategically. Key steps include:

  1. Critical First Impression Period – Your home is positioned to wow buyers from day one. This period has the highest probability of receiving multiple offers and I know how to position you to take advantage of it.
  2. Outshine the Competition – Marketed as the logical choice so buyers see it as the must-have property. High demand increases your sales price every time.
  3. Pre-Inspection – Address issues upfront to avoid surprises that could derail offers and cost you big money after a failed sale.
  4. Pre-Listing Radon Screening – Evaluate current radon levels so buyers feel confident and you aren’t caught off guard.

By focusing on these and many other key items before your home hits the market, buyers see it as move-in ready and problem-free. This creates urgency and competition, ultimately leading to higher offers, smoother negotiations, and less stress, putting you firmly in the driver’s seat to negotiate on your terms.

Taking Advantage of the Critical “First Impression Period”

The first impression period is typically defined as the first two weeks your home is on the market or the first 10 showings, by qualified buyers. This is the window where your home gets its most impactful exposure, and there are no second chances.

That’s why it’s critical to have an agent who truly understands this period and knows how to position your home for maximum appeal. Done right, this strategic approach can create urgency, spark competition, and help you achieve top dollar—all before buyers have a chance to move on to other listings.

The Four Critical First Impressions Buyers Have

When it comes to selling your home in Grand Junction, buyers form judgments long before they make an offer. There are four key first impressions that can make or break their emotional attachment:

  1. Your Online Presence – Most buyers discover homes online first. Your listing photos, descriptions, and overall presentation need to stand out beyond just a competitive price.
  2. Curb Appeal – Many buyers drive by a home before requesting a showing. What they see from the street—yard care, exterior condition and landscaping determines whether your home is “showing worthy.”
  3. Your Front Door – Standing outside your front door, agents are busy with the lockbox, leaving buyers a few moments to scan the entry area. Cobwebs, torn screens, or peeling paint make a lasting impression before buyers even step inside.
  4. The Entryway – Buyers are excited enough to enter, now make sure the space invites them to explore further. The moment they step in, they make a snap judgment about your home’s overall appeal.

All four of these first impressions are critical for creating a strong emotional connection, encouraging buyers to see themselves living in your home, and ultimately driving more offers and higher sale prices.

Only Accepting Offers with Real Intent and Avoiding “Failed Sales”

Every seller is excited to receive an offer, but not all offers are created equal. Accepting the right offer, with real intent, is critical to maximizing your sale.

In today’s market, many buyers try to “tie up a home and decide later” utilizing lengthy inspection contingency periods to make their final decision. That approach can be risky. I’ve seen offers from buyers who haven’t even toured the property in person. Allowing your home to be taken off the market under these conditions can cost you your first impression period and ultimately lower your sale price.

Even contingent offers, those dependent on the sale of the buyer’s home, require careful evaluation. A full price contingent offer stating, “The buyer will list their home within the next week” isn’t enough to demonstrate real intent. Why isn’t the home ready to be listed tomorrow? Every offer must be vetted to ensure it’s worth giving up your home’s strategic market advantage.

The True Cost of a “Failed Sale”

Failed sales can happen for a variety of reasons (and I’d argue that many are avoidable) but regardless of how they happen, they come with a steep price. Not only can they reduce your final sale price, but they also leave a stigma in buyers’ minds: Why did the previous buyers walk away? Often leaving sellers feeling pressured to reduce the price unnecessarily.

Last year I completed a review of a random 3-month period of sold homes on the Grand Junction MLS that experienced at least one “Failed Sale” and that revealed a clear pattern: every sold home that experienced a failed sale ultimately received 2.9%–13.2% less than its original list price. That’s money left on the table 100% of the time.

If reading this on a phone, turn your phone horizontally to view the all columns of the chart.

Pricing

Segment 

Avg List PriceLast Average

Back on Market
(Post-Failed Price)

Final Sold Price% Loss From Original

   List→Sold

$400–500K    468,671          448,857    438,171         6.5%
$500–600K    525,504          514,304    508,100         3.3%
$600–700K    664,200          630,814    623,700         6.1%
$700–800K    725,000          676,333    677,333         6.6%
$800–900K    859,625          849,200    833,000         3.1%
$900–1M    954,833          949,933    878,333         8.0%
$1–1.1M    1,083,333         1,009,333    940,000         13.2%
$1.2–1.3M    1,225,000         1,250,000    1,190,000         2.9%

Notice how even a single failed sale can cost tens of thousands of dollars. This is why proactively positioning your home to avoid common hurdles and vetting every offer matters. Many of the sales in this chart experienced multiple failed sales before finally selling.

With the Homes Sold for MORE™ proactive approach, I position you and your home to avoid failed sales while carefully evaluating each offer for true intent, keeping your home in the strongest position to command top dollar.

Working with a Home Sold for MORE™ agent

By now, it’s clear that hiring an agent with deep market experience, a proactive approach to preparing homes, and the expertise to do more than just get your home “Just Listed” can significantly impact your bottom line. So, when a traditional agent tells you that “price is everything” for securing a sale, you’ll know better.

Let me showcase how I’m different and always have your best interests in mind. Some agents claim to be top listing agents in Grand Junction, but they rarely disclose how many listings were cancelled or expired under their watch. High rates of expired or cancelled listings are notJust a part of how the business is done.” Don’t fall for a traditional agent who treats your home like a commodity. You deserve help, not hype, I do real estate RIGHT!

Ready to Sell Your Home in Grand Junction for More?

couple with female agent agreeing to price the property at whatever the seller wants

Who is pricing your house? You? or Your Agent?

Don’t leave money on the table with the traditional “Just Listed” approach. With the Homes Sold for MORE™ system, your home will be strategically prepared, professionally staged, and positioned to attract serious, educated buyers fast.

Here’s what you get when you work with a Homes Sold for MORE™ agent:

  • Expert pricing strategy to maximize offers from the right buyers
  • Professional staging guidance that turns showings into offers
  • Preparation insight and guidance that limits common hurdles
  • Proper positioning to make your home stand out as the logical choice
  • Proactive offer management to avoid failed sales and protect your first impression period
  • Peace of mind knowing every step is designed to get you the most money with less stress

The Grand Junction market rewards preparation, strategy, and expertise, not luck. Take control of your home sale and put yourself in the strongest position possible.

Grand Junction sellers, you don’t get a second chance at a first impression. Your home deserves more than cookie-cutter strategies. It deserves an agent that challenges the norms, sets the standard, and refuses to settle for average.

Stop leaving money on the table. Call today at (612) 306-9558 (locally based in Grand Junction)

If you’re serious about selling for more, it’s time to act. Schedule a free consultation today.

All My Best-

Paul Aspelin, Relocation and Listing Expert with Realty One Group Western Slope
Realtor®, ABR, GRI, CNE
Licensed since 2001
Read what past clients have said: Paul Aspelin Reviews and Recommendations

  1. What’s the best way to sell my home in Grand Junction?

    Choose an agent who will proactively help you prepare your home, stage it for top dollar, and launch it on the MLS with strategy, not hope.

  2. How do I sell my house for more than market value?

    It starts with preparation, collaborative pricing, and proper positioning. The Homes Sold for MORE™ process ensures buyers compete for your home, maximizing your sale price.

  3. Do I need an agent to sell my home in Grand Junction?

    You don’t just need any agent; you need the right agent. One who doesn’t treat your home like another “just listed” commodity but actively works to make it the logical choice for buyers.

  4. How long does it take to sell a home in Grand Junction?

    Market times vary by price, condition, and location. Properly prepared homes typically sell within 60 -90 days from listing to close.

  5. What mistakes do sellers make in Grand Junction?

    Many sellers only consider hiring transaction focused agents with the most 5-star reviews thinking they’re the most logical choice. The smarter metric is asking about the percentage of homes the agent actually sells and their ability to execute a strategic plan that doesn’t solely rely on monthly price reductions to generate interest.

  6. How can I sell my home fast without losing money?

    Even if your timeline is uncertain, the key is to start early. Contacting a Homes Sold for MORE™ agent weeks, months, or even a year in advance gives you the time to prepare your home properly and sell fast without sacrificing value.

  7. Does professional staging really make a difference when selling my home in Grand Junction?

    Absolutely. Homes that are professionally staged sell faster and for more money. Staging helps buyers emotionally connect with your home, making it easier for them to envision living there, and compete to make it theirs. Most traditional Grand Valley agents don’t understand this, but with Homes Sold for MORE™, professional staging is part of our strategy from day one.

Let’s Go!

Don’t wait for the market to dictate your results. The sooner we start, the more money you keep.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
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Pros and Cons of Submitting a Contingent Offer

Pros and Cons of Offers with Contingencies are something every buyer should understand before shopping for a home. Buying a home in Grand Junction or anywhere in Mesa County is a monumental step in life, and crafting the right offer can mean the difference between sealing the deal or losing out. One tactic that buyers often consider is writing an offer contingent on the sale of their current home. This type of contingent offer to purchase a home includes specific conditions regarding the sale, and ultimately the closing, of your existing home.

Let’s take a closer look at the intricacies of contingencies—what they really mean, how they can help protect you as a buyer, how they are perceived by a seller, and the strategies to make your offer stand out in a competitive market.

Keep in mind that as a buyer, this type of offer will work best if the home you like has been on the market for a while with no other offers, versus a new listing, or one with multiple competing offers.

Be sure to read through to the end where I have some bonus tips!

What is a Contingent Offer?

Home Sale Contingency: This is when a buyer must sell (close) their current home before purchasing the new one. This type of contingency is less common in a seller’s market or price points where competition among buyers is strong regardless of the overall market conditions.

Submitting a contingent offer means that the buyer is only obligated to proceed with the purchase if certain conditions (contingencies) are satisfied. These conditions typically protect the buyer and ensure that they can back out of the deal without penalty if their circumstances change or the conditions aren’t met. The majority of home purchases have some type of contingency (think inspection) attached to them, including cash offers. But not all contingencies in real estate are viewed the same.

Common Contingencies Include:

Financing Contingency: The offer is contingent on the buyer securing a mortgage loan.

Inspection Contingency: The home must pass a professional home inspection and/or testing for things like Radon, mold etc.

Appraisal Contingency: The property must appraise for at least the agreed upon purchase price.

Successful Home Closing Contingency: As a buyer, the home you are selling already has an offer on it and you are waiting for it to successfully close.

Pros of Writing Offers with Contingencies

Protects the buyer’s interests

  • The primary advantage of including contingencies in an offer is that it provides a safety net for the buyer. If unforeseen issues arise, such as difficulty in obtaining financing or problems uncovered during a home inspection, the buyer can withdraw without losing their earnest money deposit. This protection ensures that buyers aren’t forced into a deal that could jeopardize their financial stability.

Allows time for necessary steps

  • A contingent offer gives buyers time to resolve critical issues, such as selling their current home or securing a mortgage. For example, if a buyer’s funds are tied up in their existing property, a home sale contingency allows them to align the timing of the sale and purchase without financial strain.

Certain contingencies can provide leverage in negotiations

  • If the inspection reveals minor issues, the buyer can request repairs or a reduction in price or threaten to walk away. Sellers may be willing to make concessions to keep the deal alive, especially in a buyer’s market, or at higher price points where demand is lower.

Minimizes financial risk

  • Without contingencies, buyers might be legally obligated to complete the purchase, even if circumstances change. For instance, if a buyer fails to secure financing and lacks a financing contingency, they could forfeit their earnest money or face legal action.

Contingencies significantly reduce risk

  • First-time buyers often rely on contingencies to navigate the complex home-buying process. With contingencies in place, they can proceed with confidence, knowing they have room to address unforeseen challenges without severe consequences.

Cons of Writing Contingencies in Offers

Reduces Appeal to Sellers

  • From the seller’s perspective, contingencies add uncertainty to the transaction. Any type of contingency signals that the deal may fall through if the conditions aren’t met, making it less attractive than a non-contingent or cash offer. In competitive markets, where multiple offers are common, sellers are likely to favor offers with fewer strings (contingencies) attached. I’ve got plenty of stories I can share about this!

Risk of Losing the Property

  • In hot real estate markets, contingent offers often lose out to stronger, more straightforward offers. If a seller receives multiple bids, they may bypass a contingent offer in favor of one with fewer potential roadblocks, even if the contingent offer is higher in price.

Time Sensitivity and Deadlines

  • Contingencies often come with strict deadlines. For instance, a financing contingency might require the buyer to secure a loan within 30 days, or a home sale contingency might have a specific timeline for selling the buyer’s existing property. Failing to meet these deadlines can void the offer or lead to penalties.

Weaker Negotiating Position

  • Buyers with numerous or out-of-the-ordinary contingencies may have less leverage when negotiating terms such as price, closing costs, closing dates, or repairs. Sellers might be less willing to accommodate requests if they perceive the deal as uncertain or overly complicated.

Potential for Double Costs

  • A home sale contingency can leave buyers in limbo, particularly if they move forward without selling after their contingency gets called. In such cases, buyers may face overlapping costs, such as paying for two mortgages, insurance, and property taxes, until their existing property sells.

Tips for Writing a Strong Contingent Offer

Please note there is a big difference between an offer including common contingencies (think inspection, financing, appraisal) and an offer contingent on the sale of a home. If you decide to write a contingent offer, consider these strategies to make it more appealing to sellers:

Limit the Number of Contingencies

  • Include only the contingencies you truly need or that your agent communicates are common with most offers. A simpler offer is often more attractive to sellers.

Set Realistic and Short Timelines

  • Tight deadlines for resolving contingencies can reassure sellers that you’re committed to closing the deal quickly.

Provide Evidence of Financial Stability

  • Offer a larger earnest money deposit or include a pre-approval letter from a lender to demonstrate your seriousness and financial readiness.
  • A higher offer price can offset the perceived risk of a contingent offer, making it more enticing for sellers.

Negotiate the Kick-Out Clause

  • A kick-out clause allows the seller to continue marketing their home while your contingencies are resolved. If another buyer makes an offer, you’ll have a set period to remove your contingencies or step aside and withdraw/cancel your offer.

If this sounds like a lot, don’t worry. I have been successfully negotiating home sales for sellers and buyers since 2001. Let me put my years of knowledge to work for you!

Common Buyer Misconceptions of a Home Sale Contingent Offer

  • You think you are submitting a strong offer, but you’re not. A home sale contingency offer is the least desirable of all offers to a home seller. A seller accepting this type of offer is doing so in hopes that your home actually sells. Once a home seller accepts this type of offer, the showings generally slow considerably as they are basically taking their home off the market waiting for your home to sell. Because of the unknown, sellers demand a premium from the buyer.
  • You think you are actually securing the purchase of the home. You may have an accepted offer if the seller agrees to this type of contingency, but you have no type of guarantee that the home you just fell in love with will actually be the one you buy. With an accepted offer of this type, sellers continue to market their home for sale and if another non-contingent buyer submits an offer on the home, you may only have “x” amount of time to prove that the home you are selling has an accepted offer on it or that you qualify to purchase the new home without selling first. Generally speaking, most sellers require a “kick-out-clause” where the seller will only give you a few days after they call your contingency.  If you do not have an accepted offer on your home within that kick-out-clause timeframe the sellers can move on to the other offer and you’re back to square one. However, now you have your home on the market and you don’t know where you will move to. Additionally, with a kick-out-clause, sellers can call your contingency at any time, whether they have received another offer or not. They get tired of waiting.
  • You think you have the upper hand in negotiating. You could have an 850-credit score and a 50% down payment, but most sellers still want list price or higher to even consider this type of offer. They weigh the risks and require additional incentives for accepting your offer. Even if your offer was accepted by the seller, many homebuyers become afraid of losing their dream home and end up selling their current home, in a panic, for less than they could have. You might overpay by $10,000 or more on the purchase and sell for $10,000 less than you could have. Is a potential $20,000 swing worth the convenience? It adds up quickly.

Why Do Sellers Require a Premium When Accepting Home Sale Contingent Offers?

  1. They have no idea if your home is priced correctly.
  2. They have no idea how motivated you are to actually sell your home.
  3. They have no say in the qualifications of the agent you hire to sell your home.
  4. They would be accepting double the normal amount of contingencies to get their home sold. If an average buyer generally submits an offer on a home with an inspection, appraisal and financing contingency, adding one more home sale to the mix essentially doubles the hurdles needed to successfully close.

Alternatives to Writing a Home Sale Contingent Offer

If you’re wary of writing a contingent home sale offer, consider these alternatives:

  1. Bridge Loan: A short-term loan that allows you to buy a new home before selling your current one.
  2. HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit): Use the equity in your current home to fund the down payment or outright purchase of your new home.
  3. Secure an offer on your home, then write the offer on your next purchase before your current home closes. Obviously temporary housing may be needed if you have ultra specific requirements for your next home and nothing comes on the market before you close your home sale or you are unable to time the closing dates.

The New Contingent Home Sale Offer

Ever since I started my career in real estate, offers to purchase a home contingent on the successful sale of a buyer’s home have not been a common occurrence. Years ago they were. Prior to the housing bubble it seemed like everyone could easily secure a bridge loan or qualify to purchase their next home without selling first. If you weren’t willing to take on that type of risk (buying before selling), contingent offers were more common.

Times have changed. Lending requirements have tightened, and many people just aren’t willing to take on the risk of double payments even if they qualify to do so. So, what are people doing to navigate the home sale then purchase process?

I recommend people start by getting their home ready to put on the market. Bring on the home stagers, pre-inspections, painters, and plenty of moving boxes for de-cluttering and pre-packing. When the home is ready for the market, we immediately start shopping! Once we find a few homes that pique your interest, we immediately put your home on the market. When an offer is secured on your home, we turn around and write an offer on the home of your choice that is contingent on the successful closing of the home you are selling. This is different than writing an offer contingent on the sale of a home. Your home already has an accepted offer on it and is simply waiting to close.

Bottom line

Writing a home sale contingent offer on a home can be both a safety net and a potential hurdle. While it protects buyers from financial risks and unforeseen issues, it can also reduce the offer’s attractiveness to sellers, especially in competitive markets. By understanding the pros and cons of offers with contingencies and tailoring your offer to the circumstances, you can strike a balance between safeguarding your interests and appealing to the seller.

Ultimately, whether or not to write a home sale contingent offer depends on your financial situation, the market conditions, and the specific property you’re pursuing. With careful planning and the right strategy, you can navigate the home-buying process with confidence and success. Just know that home sale contingency offers can be very emotional for people.

If you feel like a contingent offer is the only way you’ll ever get into your next home, please contact me to dicuss the right way to submit a contingent offer that gets a seller’s attention! Simply submitting a list price contingent offer, then promising to list your home within a week is no longer enough to get you into the home of your dreams.

It can work well, under the right circumstances

Every year thousands of homes sell with home sale contingent offers. It is important to understand the situation when this type of offer has the highest likelihood of getting accepted. In fact, I usually call sellers before writing the offer to see if they would even consider this type of offer. Not every seller will. Every seller’s motivation is different, but their market time and conditions in the area you are buying and selling give a lot of weight to a seller deciding to accept this type of offer. Expecting sellers of a new listing on the market to consider this type of offer without weeks of market time exposure will let you down more times than not. While home sale contingent offers aren’t often a seller’s first choice, they can work perfectly under the right circumstances.

Give me a call to discuss your unique situation to find out how best to move forward in securing your next home!

Read my post called Buyer Strategy for buying a home in Grand Junction for more tips or Buying a Home in Grand Junction that highlights the importance of hiring the BEST real estate agent to represent you.

Buying a home in Grand Junction - young buyers with Paul Aspelin REALTOR

My happy buyer clients!

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PAUL ASPELIN, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE
Serving Grand Junction, Palisade, Fruita and all of Mesa County
Text or Call (612) 306-9558 (locally based)

© 2024 Paul Aspelin, REALTOR®. MovetoGrandJunction.com Copyright protected. All rights reserved.

Photo Credit for Featured Image at top of page: © rawpixel, 123RF Free Images

Your Grand Junction Real Estate Professional

Whether you are looking into Grand Junction Real Estate to purchase or sell a home, you’ve come to the right place. With my years of experience helping buyers and sellers, your Grand Junction real estate needs are my top priority. Live your vacation every day when you move to Grand Junction! I post short videos and announce new website posts on my Facebook page called Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction.

A Real Estate Partner You Can Trust!

Partnering with Paul Aspelin gives you the local market insight you desire and customer service you should expect. I’ve spent the last two decades of my career trying to raise the bar in an industry that has continually fallen short of expectations. I have successfully helped hundreds of clients through to a successful closing. The majority of my clients come from referrals from past clients. That should provide you with the comfort you need when considering a partnership with a real estate agent. Read my reviews and recommendations.

Whether your Grand Junction real estate needs are for purchasing or building a new home, or selling your current home, I can help.

Buyer Representation

The 2024 National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) settlement requires all home buyers sign a representation contract BEFORE you visit any properties. I have already been doing this with my buyer clients. I want you to fully understand the process and answer your questions before we begin looking. A buyer relationship is more important than ever. I recommend you always interview multiple agents. You can no longer just settle on the first agent you come across online or meet at an open house. These agents can be the nicest people in the world, but if they don’t have the experience to tackle every hurdle thrown your way, things may not work out in your favor.

Together we will get you into the homes you want to see while I educate you on the properties, the process, and the positioning for a successful offer. You’ve likely heard horror stories about people having a hard time securing properties in such a competitive environment. Just know, my clients don’t need to submit 10 offers before they are successful. Experience matters.

Seller Representation

Coming from the Minneapolis real estate market, I’ve noticed a significant difference between the homes listed in the Grand Junction real estate market. I know how to market homes in a more competitive environment. If you speak with an agent about listing your home and they tell you everything is perfect as it is, RUN! In over two decades of successfully assisting seller clients prepare and position their homes for sale, I have never walked into a home that couldn’t benefit from the way I help sellers get the most money for their homes.

It may sound cliché’ as every agent touts their abilities to sell homes. Allow me to show you how different and rewarding it can be. Done the right way, my process can put more money in your pocket and reduce your stress. My proven process was created by assisting hundreds and hundreds of clients since 2001. I encourage you to contact other top agents in the Grand Valley. Then, allow me to explain how I work with my valued clients. You’ll be amazed at how differently I approach listing your property, always working in your best interest. I want you to be happy.

Grand Junction Real Estate Agent Referrals

Paul Aspelin REALTORAre you a real estate agent looking to refer your out-of-town or out of state clients to a REALTOR® that can get the job done? I welcome your call to discuss your client’s needs and how I can best represent them for a successful closing. Whether your clients need to sell a home in the Grand Valley or relocate to this amazing community, I will make you look like a rock star!

You can read the many reviews and recommendations I have received over the years here on my website. I pulled together client notes and paper surveys I have collected from past clients as well as online reviews. Let them explain how I do business and learn about my character. 😊

Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction!

Text or Call (612) 306-9558 (locally based)

PAUL ASPELIN, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE

Grand Junction Relocation & Listing Expert
Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email.
Learn more about my experience and how I serve my clients 

© 2024 Paul Aspelin, REALTOR®. MovetoGrandJunction.com Copyright protected. All rights reserved.