Step 4: The Overwhelming Offer (Or How They Beat a $26,000 Higher Bid)
The other offer was $621,000.
My clients got the house for $595,000.
Let that sink in for a second.
They paid $26,000 less than the competing offer—and the seller chose them anyway.
This wasn't luck.
This wasn't because the seller liked them better.
This was strategy.
Why the Highest Price Doesn't Always Win
John and Hannah came to me already prepared.
They'd come through my lender partner, so they were pre-approved and financially educated before we ever talked. They asked all the right questions—closing costs, inspections, agent commissions, how the process works.
Smart buyers who did their homework.
They found their perfect house at an open house they attended without me. Called me right after: “We want to put in an offer.”
Problem: Multiple offers already coming in. The seller had one in hand and expected more.
Most agents would say, “Let’s go high and hope for the best.”
That’s not a strategy. That’s a coin flip.
Because John and Hannah had completed Steps 1–3 of Dream to Doorstep—they knew their finances, their needs, and their strategy before they ever saw a house—we were prepared.
I’m not going to reveal all 20+ levers here, but here’s what matters:
There are 20+ levers we can pull—price is only one of them. The others fall into buckets like financing strength, timing, inspection strategy, and risk reduction. Each one changes how a seller views your offer.
We made their offer so attractive that the seller chose $595K over $621K.
Preparation beat price.
The Offer Isn’t Just a Number
Most buyers think an offer has three parts:
Price
Closing date
Maybe some inspection stuff
Wrong.
An offer has dozens of moving parts—each one a lever that can make your offer more attractive without paying more.
That’s why Steps 1–3 come before Step 4.
John and Hannah won because they were ready.
The Multiple Offer Reality
In today’s Connecticut market, if a house is priced right, you’re facing multiple offers.
Most buyers panic and throw money at the problem.
That’s backwards.
When sellers have several offers, they’re comparing more than price. They’re comparing:
Financing strength
Timing fit
Risk
Deal complexity
Buyer commitment
That’s why strategy beats price.
John and Hannah beat a $26,000 higher bid because their offer was cleaner and lower-risk.
Lost Twice. Won Third. Here's How.
Aiden and Chloe wanted to buy a fixer-upper they could renovate themselves. First-time buyers with contractor relatives—renovation loan was perfect for them.
First house (Glastonbury): Lost to cash.
Sometimes you just can’t beat cash.
Second house (Southington): Under contract, inspection done, quotes gathered.
Found major structural issues—$180,000 worth of repairs.
Their budget was $100,000.
They walked.
Third house (Berlin): Ranch with a rainbow tile bathroom that looked like the tiler used half a box of every color from every project ever.
Multiple offers again.
This time we executed:
Conventional renovation loan (not FHA—big advantage for sellers)
Guaranteed 30-day close on a renovation loan (most lenders can’t close a regular conventional in 45 days)
Family contractors → fast quotes + fast renovation package
I called the listing agent directly to educate them on our renovation loan process
Team coordination: Me, Chris Nielsen from Northeast Financial, and Lou from DPS Remodeling. Everyone delivered.
Closed in 28 days. Early.
Now they’re living in their fully renovated home—new kitchen, updated basement, beautiful bathroom, fencing, dog door, improved porch.
Aiden and Chloe won on their third try because their offer solved the seller’s concerns before the seller even asked.
The Foundation Feeds the Offer
Here’s how Steps 1–3 enable Step 4:
From Step 1 (You Are Here):
Financial position → financing levers available
Housing situation → timing flexibility
Decision-making → response speed
From Step 2 (Define Your Dream):
Needs vs. wants → inspection strategy
Timing needs → closing flexibility
From Step 3 (Tailored Strategy):
Market conditions → how aggressive to be
Team → which advanced strategies are possible
Complete situational picture → optimal lever selection
John and Hannah weren’t starting from scratch—they were ready.
Aiden and Chloe didn’t panic after losses—they refined.
Step 4 only works when Steps 1–3 are solid.
What Most Buyers Do (And Why It Fails)
Here’s the typical approach:
Fall in love with a house
Ask the agent, “What should we offer?”
Agent says, “Let’s go $10K over asking and hope”
Submit offer
Lose
Repeat
No strategy.
No leverage.
Just guessing.
Why does this fail?
Because sellers aren’t just looking at the number. They’re asking:
Will this close?
Will this be a hassle?
Does this fit my timeline?
How risky is this buyer?
A $621K offer with risky financing, long timelines, and full inspection negotiations?
Risky.
A $595K offer that’s clean, fast, strong, and low-risk?
Attractive.
The seller chose certainty over $26,000.
The 63% Reduction Revisited
Before Dream to Doorstep, my buyers averaged 8–9 offers before getting under contract.
After implementing the system, they average less than 3.
Steps 1–3 build the foundation.
Step 4 is where the foundation pays off.
You win because you’re positioned as the best buyer, not the highest bidder.
Why You Don’t Need to Memorize All 20+ Techniques
You don’t need to know every lever.
When we complete Steps 1–3—your starting point, your needs, your strategy—I pull the right combination from the 20+ techniques based on the house, the seller, the market, and the competition.
Some work in seller’s markets.
Some in buyer’s markets.
Some with renovation loans.
Some with first-time buyers.
Some when the seller needs a fast close.
I know the techniques. I apply the right ones for YOUR situation.
One More Thing: Lost & Found
Remember Brandon from Blog 1?
He lost his dream home to a cash buyer.
We tracked it through the Lost & Found system.
Our follow-up paid off—the listing agent told me the deal was unraveling.
Brandon got the house.
When you lose a house, we don’t disappear.
We track it. We stay in touch.
We stay ready.
Deals fall through all the time.
When they do, we’re already positioned as the best backup.
You're Ready for the Next Step
You’ve built your foundation (Steps 1–3).
You’ve crafted an overwhelming offer (Step 4).
Now comes the part that separates good agents from great ones:
Getting from contract to closing without disasters.
Deals fall apart every day:
Bank denials. Inspection nightmares. Title issues. Appraisal problems. Attorney mistakes. Bad communication. Timing failures.
The next blog shows how we protect you from all of it—so your accepted offer becomes a successful closing.
Next up: Contract to Closing Concierge—How We Protect Your Deal When Everything Goes Wrong.
