Realtor Haley Maida of Keller Williams Realty-The Kink Team knows that both buyers and sellers need a smart strategy, strong relationships and a little creativity to win in competitive situations.
Backed by a collaborative team that helps ensure a smooth process for buyers and sellers, Maida said clients gain a serious edge when they work with professionals who live and breathe the market every day.
How can buyers stand out?
When it comes to buyers, timing, preparation and flexibility make all the difference.
“It’s so important to get pre-qualified and pre-approved before looking at houses,” Maida said. “You don’t want to believe your budget is up to $1 million, and then find out that it is really up to $700k, and now you’re having to regroup.”
That preparation enables buyers to act quickly when the right property becomes available.
“When you are ready to jump and you find the right house, we can move on it that afternoon,” Maida said.
Moving fast is only part of the puzzle. Maida emphasized the importance of tailoring offers to meet a seller’s needs, and the way to do this is through conversations with the listing agent.
“It’s really about understanding the seller,” Maida said. “Do they need a lease back? Are their kids finishing school? Do they need to move in a month and have those proceeds before then?”
Maida has seen buyers win homes not because they were the highest bidder, but because they offered the right terms.
“[One of my clients] won a house. We weren’t the highest offer, but we gave competitive terms, and we were able to give the seller what they were looking for,” Maida said. “Sometimes, that’s more important than the final number.”
Another advantage buyers gain with The Kink Team is their proactive approach. If the right house isn’t on the market, Maida and her colleagues go looking for it.
“I have a buyer right now who's looking for a very specific property in the East Shore area, so we've sent letters to everyone in that neighborhood who has something within the realm of what my buyer is looking for to see if they'll sell off-market. We've had a lot of success with that,” Maida said.
How can sellers stand out?
On the selling side, strategy is equally nuanced.
Maida points to rate buy-downs as one of the smartest tactics in today’s environment.
“We’ve seen a huge market shift in the last few weeks,” she said. “What we’ve had a lot of success with is talking to our sellers about offering rate buy-downs for the buyer. ... It really will edge out if they’re between two or three houses.”
Pricing is another key area where The Kink Team’s expertise shines. Maida cautioned sellers against overreaching.
“I’ve seen a ton of success when people are open to pricing just below market value,” she said. “When they’re trying to squeeze every penny out of the house, ... they end up selling for less than they would have had they priced just a hair under.”
Making buyers feel like they’re getting a deal often brings multiple offers and drives prices up.
Maida also stressed the importance of highlighting the right features.
“Sellers are so focused on the cosmetic updates, but thinking about those pricey items like a roof, AC system or a water heater is so important,” Maida said. “It’s really about understanding not just what the house looks like, but what’s behind those walls.”
The Kink Team helps sellers bring out the best in their homes with stagers, inspectors and trusted tradespeople to ensure properties are presented in the strongest light.
“We have a very detailed plan in place, and we tweak it for each house,” Maida said. “Once it starts, it goes into the machine. ... Nothing falls through the cracks.”
Why The Kink Team?
With the market evolving quickly, Maida’s biggest piece of advice is simple: be thoughtful about who you hire.
“Keep in mind that working with people who do this for a living, not as a side hustle, is so important,” Maida said. “There are so many crucial elements in the process, and not everyone is equally yoked. Be thoughtful in who you're working with.”
That’s where The Kink Team stands out. With deep market knowledge, strong industry relationships and a team that overly communicates well to keep clients informed, Maida and her colleagues make sure both buyers and sellers feel confident, cared for and ready to stand out.
Ready to buy or sell? Visit www.thekinkteam.com or call 281-364-4828 today.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
