John Varano

It's always good to prepare before you set out to buy a house. But that's especially true in a tight market. If there are more buyers than homes for sale, there's naturally also going to be competition. And where there's competition, buyers need to be ready. So what can buyers do to make sure they don't lose the home of their dreams or blow up their budget? Well, the first thing is to set some boundaries. You'll need to have a firm idea of what you're willing to spend, so that you don't get in a bidding war and buy more house than you can comfortably afford. You'll also need to know where you're able to compromise. If there aren't as many homes to choose from, chances are you're not going to get everything you wanted in a house. Make sure that you're focused on things that can't be remedied later. For example, if you don't like the kitchen cabinets, they can change but you won't be able to add more outdoor space, if the yard is small. Buyers in competitive markets should also expect to act fast. You won't have the luxury of thinking things over once you've found a good house. Be prepared to make an offer quickly, as there will likely be other buyers interested in the same property. For this reason, it's also good to bid competitively. You may want to see if you can get a lower offer accepted but, if you're trying to beat out other buyers, it's a better idea to put in an attractive offer than to try and steal a deal. Generally, the more focused and prepared you are, the better your chances will be for successfully navigating a tight market.