If your offer was involved in a multiple offer situation you might miss out on the house you "have been waiting to come on the market for years" over the perception that your offer is not serious. 

Purely marketing and psychology.The best "silver dagger" is good education, but most are looking for a quick and easy buck so they won't arm themselves to get into this arena.Gurus sell perceptions, the product is a by-product of content that supports the hype and justifies the perception sold.

I know how serious I am and know what the property is worth and will close on it, but perception is everything.

While that may be true for some, it is certainly not true for all, your statement gives the perception that "all" investors are negatively affected.

@David Cook Our market currently is like buying an 60% Oil / 40% inverse S&P 500 index ETF we tend to track relative to those factors (at least that’s the commonly held perception).

Perception: Many feel it is very hard or very expensive to do MF. 

If you are transparent and project yourself as trustworthy, you will be It's all about perceptions.

Hi Jasmine,Welcome to BP :)Feel free to check out a few blogs I wrote for Bigger Pockets below that can mold your perception on what to look for when investing in cashflow properties:http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/11/15/3-types-of-risks-real-estate-investors-regularly-take/http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/20/first-investment-property-important-things-consider/http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/07/26/sight-mind-real-estate-investing-afar/Thanks and I hope you find them useful.Have a great day.

Perception is a powerful thing and for many, perception is reality irrespective of which side of the issue you're on.

A well-meaning and hard working agent can feel pressure from a homeowner or investor who has an inflated perception of the property's value, it’s a inexperienced or new agent, a part-time agent or under pressure from their broker to get listings or else.