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Writing and Negotiating an Offer

You have found the perfect home. The next step is making an offer. What should that offer be? Many times, the answer to this question is not so clear. Every house is unique and there are many factors to consider prior to just throwing something out to the seller and hoping for the best. This is where the knowledge and experience of your Realtor can really help.

Many factors should be considered upon writing the initial offer. The first thing you should consider is the comparable properties that have sold in the past 6 to 12 months. Try to think like an appraiser, since that is typically what we are trying to get the seller to do in the first place. Look at time on the market, condition when compared to similar properties, lot location within the community, and possible seller motivations. Though most buyers want to think there is a motivating factor for the seller that will help them in their negotiations, our experience has been that this is just not the case in most transactions. Once you have come to a conclusion as to where you think value is on the property, then you have to decide if you can reach that goal or, if at all possible, get it for less. 

Determine your Strategy
Prior to making the offer, you will need to determine how you would prefer to negotiate.  If your first offer is accepted by the seller, you will inevitably think you offered too much.  The typical objective is to begin the conversation. Hopefully, this means offering low enough to not insult anyone, but still low enough that you can find out where the seller might be willing to go.  This strategy won't work if you get involved in a "bidding war." In this situation you will typically have to bring your highest and best offer, then hope you can get the price at your comfort level range without losing the home over a few hundred or thousand dollars.

Some Motivational Pointers
This is what seems to make many buyers salivate!  What is it that makes this seller "tick" and need to get the home sold? As I mentioned previously, there isn't typically one sure thing, but here are a few things that are pretty obvious.  Is the home vacant and have the sellers purchased another home already?  Finding out the existing mortgage amount from the public records can many times give you an idea of what the seller is paying on their monthly mortgage.  This can help if you can close quickly, thereby saving them those monthly holding expenses.

Another way is to look around the home while you are there. Are the closets empty, do they have personal pictures around that might give indicators of a family situation where motivation might be involved? 

Writing and Negotiating an Offer cont. --->>

Latest listings in Augusta Road

$1,500,000
5 Beds 4 Baths
Charming, renovated and expanded home boasting almost 3,600 square feet, 5 bedrooms and 4 full baths in the heart of the Greenville Country Club section of Augusta Road, just minutes from shopping, dining, award-winning schools, the Swamp Rabbit Trail, Cleveland Park, Caine Halter YMCA, downtown Greenville, Prisma and much more! Nestled on one of the area’s most coveted streets, 71 Woodvale Avenue boasts a large, 36x13 covered porch with custom iron railings, a solid mahogany front door and beautiful French doors - all welcoming you into the home. The first floor features a spacious dining room with woodburning fireplace and original mantle, custom built-ins and beautiful site-finished hardwood floors. To the right of the dining room is a cozy living room that also features French doors to the expansive front porch. These rooms could be easily interchanged. The gourmet kitchen is a chef’s dream – it features a 10-foot wooden island with honed soapstone countertops, custom cabinetry topped with marble countertops and designer hardware, Thermador 36-in gas range with four burners, griddle, pot filler and custom vent hood, stainless steel Whirlpool French door refrigerator, Thermador dishwasher, designer light fixtures, walk-in pantry, coffee bar and butler’s pantry with marble countertops and JennAir stainless steel icemaker. The adjoining den features a woodburning fireplace with custom mantle designed to match the dining room’s original mantle, custom bookshelves and French doors leading to the backyard. The spa-like primary suite is also located on the main level and features a large walk-in closet with custom closet system, plus a secondary closet, spacious bathroom with double marble vanity, zero-entry marble tiled shower and marble tile floors. The bathroom also features French doors leading to the dreamy backyard and private spa area. The first floor also features a full hall bathroom with ceramic tile floors, tub/shower combination and a large laundry room with conveying washer and dryer and custom wooden countertops made from the home’s original attic rafters. Rounding out the main level is a large closet prepped for an elevator if desired by a future owner. A wide wooden staircase leads to an expansive second level which features 4 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms – all with top-notch finishes including ceramic tile floors, designer paint colors, lighting and plumbing fixtures throughout. Nestled on a fully-fenced lot, 71 Woodvale Avenue is accessible via a custom electronic gate that leads to a 2-car detached garage. The garage was designed to resemble a carriage house and serves as both a garage and an entertaining space. Unique design elements include exposed beams that mimic the original garage on the property, custom mahogany carriage house outswing doors, numerous built-in storage spaces, and a designer chandelier and garage refrigerator that convey. The exquisite property has been thoughtfully designed to include a mix of lush landscaping with detailed hardscaping offering many opportunities for entertaining or relaxing on the spacious covered front porch, patio off the den with outdoor woodburning fireplace, the bluestone and flagstone patio area with private, recessed spa tub that’s also accessible via French doors from the primary suite, and the thoughtfully-designed Charleston-style garden rooms throughout the backyard incorporating fatsia, boxwoods, inkberry holly, Confederate jasmine, sasquana and little gem magnolia. The owners have made numerous updates including a whole house renovation and addition in 2008-2009, plus many recent updates including a primary suite renovation. A full list of updates and features is available. Don’t miss your chance to own this exquisite property in the heart of Augusta Road!

71 Woodvale Avenue, Greenville

$2,199,000
5 Beds 4.5 Baths
Absolutely stunning, circa early 1900’s Willie Ward designed Tudor home on over half an acre! This home has been transformed while keeping true to the original character, charm and quality architectural design elements featured throughout. With soaring ceilings, gorgeous, stained wood moldings, barrel ceilings in the dining room and living room- this home creates quite the statement. With many cozy home characteristics, this home boasts an amazing, luxurious kitchen with painted wooden ceilings, herringbone brick flooring, inset custom cabinetry, double oven gas range, warming drawer, quartzite countertops, special breakfast eat-in area and the list goes on! Designer painting, wallpaper, and gorgeous lighting fixtures throughout. Wonderful sunroom that affords amazing natural light with the many windows. Spacious dining room and living room for comfortable entertaining. Beautiful, oversized fireplace with built-in cabinetry in this amazing living room. Two separate double door entrances to a very private, covered porch. This home features an elevator as well as a gorgeous front staircase and back staircase. On the second floor, you will find four bedrooms, three bathrooms and an office. The primary suite might be the most incredible, warm, and inviting bedroom suite you have ever seen! Stunning lighting, built-in bookcases, amazing full bathroom with shower, walk-in closet, AND a fireplace! The office provides a wonderful access to the third-floor staircase. This third-floor bonus room is just beautiful. A full level bonus room with walk-in attic storage for you to enjoy. This home has been lovingly maintained and updated including all new windows. There is more… this home has some of the most incredible grounds and outdoor living with privacy in mind. Large hardscaped patio with outdoor grilling area, outdoor fireplace, beautifully designed lower maintenance landscaping, gardening area and so much more. There is a detached two car garage with another garage on the rear of the building. There is a detached guest cottage that features soaring, vaulted ceilings and open floor plan. The guest cottage has a lovely kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and hardwood flooring. There is one bedroom, one bathroom, laundry area and storage also in the guest cottage. The wonderful features of this home go on and on. You just must see this home in person to believe it all! Right in the Augusta Road area, zoned for Augusta Circle Elementary, very short distance to Prisma Health and convenient to downtown Greenville – make time to see this home with a private guided tour. Schedule your appointment today!

401 W Faris Road, Greenville

$815,000
3 Beds 2 Baths
Where to begin in describing how absolutely fabulous you will find 209 Rice Street to be. Before even crossing the front door threshold, you will adore the curb appeal of this charming bungalow with its stone chimney, circular gravel drive, mature trees and lovely exterior, situated on a near half acre lot in one of Greenville's most desirable areas. Inside, the charm-fest continues as you enter the living room with a big, decorative fireplace as its anchor and gleaming hardwoods throughout this level. Adjoining, the large family room has another fireplace and ample space to gather with family and friends. Adjacent is a windowed office space so you can appreciate your gorgeous surroundings while working. Also off the den is the breakfast room and the beautifully updated kitchen with high end stainless appliances including a gas Wolf range. This home features a formal dining space, perfect for entertaining. Down the hall are a renovated full bath and two large bedrooms. Privacy and space are what you will enjoy most about the big, terrace level primary suite with a large walk in closet and amazing primary bath with garden tub and incredible tiled shower. A private garden is just outside the owners suite. Other outdoor spaces include a marvelous screened porch off the dining room with yet another fireplace, this one wood burning, and a large deck off the breakfast room. As mentioned at the start, the lot is huge, with plenty of room to play, relax and enjoy life outdoors or consider an expansion of the house. You will just need to come and look at 209 Rice Street for yourself to appreciate all it has to offer.

209 Rice Street, Greenville

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The Listings data contained on this website comes from various participants of The Multiple Listing Service of Greenville, SC, Inc. Internet Data Exchange. IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The properties displayed may not be all the properties available. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. © 2023 Greater Greenville Association of REALTORS®. All Rights Reserved. Last Updated