Get the Best Listings Before Other Homebuyers
Off-market homes for sale in Irvine can be hard to find. But, if you are lucky enough to come across one of these gems it can mean a great deal without a lot of competition. This makes buying a home less stressful on you – and your wallet! But what is an off-market home and how do you find one?
An off-market home, also known as a pocket listing, is a home that isn’t listed on the MLS. Over half of all available homes for sale aren’t on the MLS. This makes them hard to find which means that competition is less for these listings. A home may be off-market for several reasons:
- To maintain the privacy of the homeowners
- To save on realtor’s commissions
- To create a sense of exclusivity to drive up the price of the home
Whatever the reason, off-market homes can save you a bundle by letting you avoid costly bidding wars.
Follow along as we explore 5 ways you can find the perfect off-market home:
- Online search
- Ask homeowners directly
- Search public records
- Attend live auctions
- Use a realtor
1. Online Search
When you’re searching for an off-market home, one place to look is online. Although these properties aren’t listed on the MLS, they can be found in newspaper classifieds. You can also check sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
It’s important to note that most people will check online for listings, so you will probably meet some competition for these listings. And, the more competition there is for a listing, the more likely it is that you will pay a higher price.
2. Ask Homeowners Directly
You can also approach the homeowners and ask whether their home is for sale. By either going in person or starting a direct mail campaign, you can “cut out the middleman” and get information straight from the homeowner. Be sure to ask whether the home is for sale, how much they are asking for the home, and what their timeline for selling is.
This method does have drawbacks. Not everyone is comfortable approaching strangers so, if that applies to you, try another one of our methods.
3. Search Public Records
By searching public records, you can find homes that are in danger of foreclosure before they are marketed. Sometimes the homeowner will accept an offer on their home to prevent going through the foreclosure process. This is a great way to cut out the competition.
But, searching public records for off-market homes for sale in Irvine is time-consuming and, with no way of knowing when new information is listed, something that would have to be done repetitively. Also, it’s important to note that these properties aren’t for sale so you may be wasting your time following up on any particular listing.
4. Attend Live Auctions
Property auctions have homes that have gone through probate or been repossessed by lenders. These homes are a great way to find property that hasn’t already been offered to others.
There are drawbacks to this method. Usually auctions are all-cash and you are buying the property “as is”. The property may also have outstanding liens or issues with title that can be a dealbreaker. Most people are not willing to take such a gamble when it comes to their home.
5. Use a Realtor
The best way to find off-market listings for sale in Irvine is to work with an expert realtor. A realtor can provide you with accurate information about legitimate properties whose home sellers are motivated to sell. This is without jumping through hoops and wasting your valuable time finding them. When you have a realtor you trust, you can be confident in their expertise and find your dream home faster and easier.
Off-Market Homes for Sale in Irvine with Rudy Kusuma
When you’re ready to find the best off-market listings, it’s time to contact your real estate professionals at Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty - Rudy Lira Kusuma Real Estate Team. We take the legwork and uncertainty out of finding off-market listings. And, when you create a profile in our Exclusive Buyer Profile System, you’ll save time and money.
With all the hard work done for you, all you have to do is pick the right home and pack!
At Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty - Rudy Lira Kusuma Real Estate Team we go one step further in providing you with the ideal real estate transaction. We make sure that you get the best possible deal on your next home. We are so confident that you will get the home of your dreams for the right price that we guarantee it! When you start your relationship with us, don’t forget to ask about our stellar Seller Guarantees you won’t find anywhere else!
To get started today, call us at 626-789-0159 or contact us here. We can’t wait to find you your next piece of paradise!