Daily Real Estate News  |  June 16, 2009  |   How to Woo First-Time Buyers
First-time home buyers can be tough to catch because they are wary of overpaying and skeptical about buying homes in need of improvement.

A survey for Coldwell Banker last year found that 81 percent of first-time buyers said move-in conditions were very important. Only 7 percent were willing to consider fixer-uppers that they could buy cheaply.

Here, according to Coldwell Banker Associated Brokers in Southern California, are ways to lure a first-time buyer:

• New paint, decluttering, and removing odors are very important, but don’t urge too many expensive modifications.
• Offer to pay closing costs.
• Provide a home warranty.
• Make a counteroffer, even if the first offer is really low-ball.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Amy Hoak, (06/16/2009)