Reply #6: Some advice I once got from a friend in RE. (paraphrased because I don't remember verbatim)) [View All]

[Chan790]

If you really think you're interested in a place before you see it and are prepared to possibly make an offer upon seeing it, communicate that to your RE agent. An agent, armed with that information, can often communicate it to a buyer's agent in a way to insure that they don't accept an offer before you see it. What it costs you is leverage though...the buyer then knows your interest is very strong and thus that you're less likely to walk away if they reject your lowest offer and stick closer to asking price.

It does present you with an opportunity to make an offer on a property that you're strongly interested in though and think might be off the market before you can see it. Be prepared though to make an offer at/after the showing if you communicate to the agent that you're likely to. (Doing this repeatedly and not making offers makes you and your agent seem not-credible.)