Advice on choosing among offers on a SFR

[Bill Henley]

We are selling our family home in the SF Bay Area. We expect to receive multiple offers, maybe as much as $1 million. Choosing the highest offer is simple, but I want to avoid two things: (1) a buyer who can't qualify for financing, and (2) a buyer who gets a post-acceptance inspection report and uses it to nickel and dime us with repair costs. I know I'm basically asking BP to read the minds of people who are not yet known even to me. But I wonder if there are any red flags or other tips that would persuade a seller to reject the highest offer in favor of a lower one which promises a clean and easy close.

[Chris T.]

1. A preapproval letter with a nice downpayment should help. Have your realtor contact the lender as well to confirm.

2. I think in the process of negotiation, you might be able to get clues on the buyer. Say buyer A wants A,B and C conditions for his offer price compared to buyer B with no special conditions.

Assuming you get multiple offers, and your realtor goes back to them on H&B. 

You can also get a seller's inspection report first, so that there are few surprises when the buyer completes theirs.