Top tips from a local lender: How to Win in a North Shore Seller’s Market
By Ryan Skaggs VP Mortgage Lending
Important note on waivers; waiving inspections and appraisals can win deals—but they increase risk. Alternatives include: Pre-inspection or “walk-and-talk” with a contractor before offering. “As-is” with a right to cancel (rather than repair requests). Limited inspection scope with a short window. Quick checklist: steps you can take this week : Get fully underwritten. Open a HELOC if appropriate; line up liquid funds and set up wire procedures. Define your monthly comfort payment and walk-away price. Ask your Lydia/Jane for a micro-market brief ing for your target towns and price tier. Partial appraisal waivers or a defined appraisal-gap amount, not unlimited exposure. Bottom line , in a tight market, preparation and precision win. By becoming “loan-ready,” lining up your funds, making data-driven offers, and tailoring terms to the seller, you can secure the right home without buyer’s remorse. Download my 7 Secrets to Buying a Home in Chicagoland at www.chicagobestmortgage.com or a setup a call directly: 773-569-8692 and let’s map a personalized plan for your scenario. 5.Consider future value and your exit strategy. Love the house, then underwrite it. Buying on Lake Ave or another busier street isn’t “bad,” but acknowledge it narrows the future buyer pool. The discount you get today should set you up for a smart resale later. 6.Tailor your offer to the seller’s real needs. Not every seller wants the same thing. Some need a quick close; others want extra time to move. Shape your offer around their priorities and you’ll beat higher prices more often than you think.
If you live on the North Shore, you’ve felt it: low inventory, fast-moving listings, and multiple-offer showdowns.
1.Get fully underwritten (not just pre-approved) A generic pre-approval is table stakes. Full underwriting is the advantage. It means an underwriter has already reviewed your income, assets, and credit—so you’re essentially “loan- ready,” pending appraisal and title. Sellers love it because it shortens timelines and reduces uncertainty. 2.Prepare your funds for closing (think: liquidity and speed). In multiple offers, timing and certainty are currency. If you need funds beyond your checking account, plan how you’ll access them quickly. For some, that means opening a HELOC now—before you list your current home—so it’s ready if needed. 3.Stay patient and avoid emotional decisions in bidding wars. Speed matters, but haste can be expensive. Set a maximum monthly payment and walk-away price. Use strategy—like escalation clauses and tighter terms—so you compete on structure, not just price. 4.Understand hyper-local market trends before you offer. The North Shore is a collection of micro-markets. A home east of Green Bay Road with walk-to-Metra can behave differently than one farther west; a Glenview new- construction comp won’t map cleanly to a 1920s Wilmette Tudor. Go in eyes wide open.
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