How to Win a Bidding War - or Avoid One Entirely, plus the Future of the Market

I just updated a great post on the Quill Blog about how to be the winning offer when you have to compete against other buyers. Hopefully it is just a multiple offer situation, where the seller simply accepts the best written offer. But even if it devolves into a bidding war, follow these steps to have the best chances possible.

Confused about the difference between a bidding war and a multiple offer situation? As a buyer, ever wondered whether there were any limits at all on what sellers and their agents can disclose to other buyers? I've written all about the topic on Rain City Guide.

Finally, if you've learned all to well about multiple offer situations and bidding wars, and you'd like to avoid them for the rest of your life (or at least until you buy a home), then check out my post on MLS alternatives. Honestly, it shouldn't be so darn difficult to buy a house!

Thankfully, this low inventory will not last forever. With 18% appreciation in the city of Seattle last year, folks will soon have enough equity to consider selling. That should allow for a significant increase in inventory.