Even in today’s changing real estate market, sellers are still receiving multiple offers from eager buyers while listing brokers are sorting through those offers to determine which are truly the best for their clients. Price is not the only factor sellers weigh when they look at offers.

Many buyers’ agents counsel a standard high-price, no-contingency offer, but seasoned listing brokers know that all-cash offers at the highest price with no contingencies may still be flawed. Buyers’ agents who submit incomplete, poorly written offers raise red flags about whether their buyers can be trusted to successfully close the transaction.

Effective offers begin with a solid understanding of the sellers’ needs and wishes. Veteran buyer brokers have a comprehensive list of questions they discuss with the listing broker to make sure they cover all the needs of the seller. In addition to building rapport with the listing agent, a lot of pre-negotiation can happen during broker-to-broker calls that paves the way to an accepted contract. For example, the buyer broker may discover that the sellers need extra time to locate and purchase their next home and suggest that their buyers offer a delayed occupancy date.

The better the offer, the higher the chances of success, even if the numbers are not necessarily the highest. Buyers should select their broker based on a proven track record of success and positive reviews from previous buyers.