Are you house hunting in a competitive market and having no luck finding a home? Did you find your perfect home – but it’s not for sale? Then you may be wondering if you can try to buy a home that doesn’t have a “for sale” sign in the front yard.

While trying to buy a home that isn’t currently listed is an option, it has its challenges. Here’s what to do if you really want to buy a home that isn’t for sale.

Finding the perfect home

Some homeowners will be more open to offers than others, so it’s best to tailor your search to reach those who may be receptive. There are a couple of ways you can do this.

The first is to find expired listings or listings that were taken off the market. There could be a variety of reasons why the listing was removed or the home didn’t sell. Perhaps the sellers wanted to work with a different agent, or they weren’t getting the offers they had expected. Whatever the reason, these homeowners might be responsive to your offer.

Secondly, drive around the neighborhood where you would like to buy and make a list of homes that are appealing to you. Then search for those properties online and find out how long the current owners have lived there. If the sale is recently new, chances are the owners aren’t ready to sell. But if they’ve lived in the home for five or more years, it could be worth reaching out to them to see if they would entertain your offer.

Making an offer

Once you’ve found a home you’d like to buy, the next step is to make an offer to the owners. Showing up unannounced on their doorstep with an offer probably isn’t going to win you any points. The best way to reach out is to write a letter.

Work with your agent to craft a specialized offer, and explain to the owner why you would like to buy their home. It’s possible that the owners receive letters like this regularly, especially in an active market, so you need to make yours stand out. Don’t be afraid to be personal, and appeal to them on an emotional level. However – do be aware that you don’t want to get stuck with a home that has major issues not apparent from the street. Your offer should contain an appraisal contingency, so you’re not paying more than what the home is worth.

Be ready for rejection

Ultimately, most of your offers will go unread, or the owners will not respond. Be patient and remember that people can be emotionally tied to their homes. And often they weren’t expecting an offer. They will respond in their own way and in their own time.

While trying to buy a house that isn’t for sale can be a long process that comes with its fair share of disappointment, don’t write it off as an option. You never know who will say yes, and that home you’ve always dreamed about becomes your reality.

Compliments of Virtual Results