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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 25 The inventory of homes for sale is historically low. That means most homes are getting multiple offers after spending just a few days on the market. The Realtor team your offer comes from can make a huge difference in how it stands out to sellers. ACT & Associates has built a reputation for bringing competitive offers to the table and easing the path to closing with strong com- munication among all parties. "That reputation can change the transaction," Taylor says. "When a listing agent knows you'll be easy for the sellers to work with, it makes your offer more attractive." ••• • It can feel overwhelming to buy a home in a fast-moving, multiple- offer environment where buyers are waiving inspections and mak- ing other concessions to get the house they want. How do you protect yourself while remaining competitive? "We present multiple offers on a weekly basis to our clients at this point. That gives us an understanding of what it looks like to the seller, and what kinds of things sellers are accepting. We train our agents to use those strategies," Taylor says. "The market is con- stantly shifting. In a matter of two weeks we will see new types of offers being made. We are tracking this data and using that knowl- edge to make sure we retain that competitive edge." ACT & Associates has a proven record of using contract negotia- tion strategies that protect buyers while remaining attractive to sellers. The time the team puts in to carefully understand every client's situation gives them an array of tools to work with, and the team goes over strategies carefully with every buyer before mak- ing an offer, so that everybody knows what to expect. "We craft that strategy ahead of time so that when they do find that perfect home, we are ready to jump in and make the most competitive offer possible, while ensuring we stay within their budget and comfort level," Taylor says. ••• There are so many variables that go into selling and buying a home. From getting the best mortgage rate, to staging your current home to fetch the best price possible, to understanding the true cost of improvements you'll need to make to your new home, the better information you have, the more successful you can be in the market. Getting the best information means relying on a network of experts across the lending, real estate and home improvement industries. A great example of this is the team's Design to Sell program. This program was created in response to Taylor's observation that having a turn-key property, with updates such as new carpet, appliances and landscaping improvements already in place, is essential to today's buyers. When sellers have the equity in their homes—but not the up-front cash—to make these improve- ments, ACT & Associates brings in its trusted network of contractors who give estimates on the needed improvements. The seller enters into an agreement to let the team manage the work, and then the team is reimbursed at an agreed-upon rate at closing. Amy Cherry Taylor's strong relation- ships with the contractors ensure that work is done quickly, and at the most competitive price. The program can make a huge difference. Taylor says one property that would have listed at $165,000 as-is underwent $9,000 worth of improvements—then sold for $215,000. "It's been a huge service to our clients," she says. ••• In today's turbulent market, one of the most common questions Taylor gets from clients is how to manage the complicated task of selling one house and moving to another. "Coordinating settlements to make sure you go from one home to another is like artistry these days, and we do it all the time," Taylor says. The team works closely with clients, with the goal of giving them the peace of mind that they have the best negotiating team working for them, with the experience to find cre- ative solutions to smooth their transition from one home to another. "People have a tremendous amount of equity in their homes right now. If they aren't going to stay for the next 3-5 years, now is the time to look," she says. "It's a market full of opportunities. If you are looking to buy and you are going to stay in this home for a few years, you have a tremendous opportunity—several years from now, you are going to be so happy you did." To learn more, visit AmyCherryTaylor.com.