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Feb 26, 2009 -- Condo sellers taking less money from cash buyers

Cash is king right now in the real estate market, particularly if you're talking about the condo market.

Clark recently read a report that spotlighted two buyers vying for the same condo. One wanted to pay upfront in cash and the other was seeking to arrange financing. The cash payer offered $133,000 on the condo, while the person seeking financing offered $179,000. Guess which offer was accepted…

No one wants to make loans in the condo market because of the speculative nature of how it all blew up. That means cash payers can steal a once in a lifetime deal right now. This same thing is happening -- albeit to a lesser degree -- with single-family houses in some of the bubble states.

When Clark raised this in a staff meeting, several staffers said they thought the scenario of paying cash for real estate was very unrealistic for the penny-pincher's target audience. But just days ago, Clark shared word that there is nearly $4 trillion just sitting in money market accounts. That could easily be put to use in a scenario like this one.

So if you're among the millions of Americans who have money -- but are clueless about what to do with it -- let this be food for thought.

Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.

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What others are saying

  • cash vs financing
    Interst for one! If you pay the total up front in cash you are finished...no interest accruing and no monthly payments. You also know that you can afford it with the money directly in hand. So many more good reasons.....
  • 25 Cents on the collar
    I recently went to the REDC Auction and huge number of the properties auctioned off were "Cash only." Most properties auctioned were not condos.
    But I think I can see the correlation.
    Clark is assuming that you are buying a foreclosure.
    I've been watching the condo market for about 6 months now. I see condos go under contract just to see them come back up for sale within 30 days. Contracts aren't sticking.
    So if I were a bank, I don't have the time or resources to continue to do contract paperwork for the same property over and over again while new properties are foreclosing - perhaps it would be easier to take the cash and get it over with?
  • beach property
    what are the thoughts of buying Georgia beach property-condo on the water-we have the funds
  • 25 Cents on the dollar condo
    Where can I find these distressed condos selling cheaply at this point?
  • Resources to buy
    Shannon,

    Not sure if this is the best site but I like the way ziprealty posts their properties. They're really user friendly...

    Anyone else know good sites?
  • CASH OR FINANCING
    TO THE SELLER IT SHOULD NOT ULTIMATELY
    MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE EXCEPT THAT THE
    FINANCING BUYER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PURCHASE AT ALL IF HE CAN'T OBTAIN THE
    FINANCING (THUS VOIDING THE SALE ALTOGETHER). IF A SELLER THINKS THE BUYER CAN THE FINANCING; HE SHOULD HOLD OUT FOR THE HIGHER PRICE. THE SELLER GETS HIS MONEY AT CLOSING EITHER WAY.
    ONLY THE BANK IS AT RISK IF FINANCING IS
    PROVIDED FOR THE BUYER.
  • Looking for condo Gulf Shores Cash
    Can not even get a realtor to write me back not one.

    Guess times are good in Gulf Shores Alabama
  • Cash Vs. Credit
    I believe someone (certainly not Clark!) got this a little wrong. A seller would sell to the lower offer of cash only if he felt that the loan for the higher offer would not get approved. Loans which formerly were routinely approved, are now rutinely denied. We are back to the boring days of the 1970s where the buyer must have 20% down.
  • cash vs credit
    poor stodd. just doesn't get it.
    to a seller there is no loan default risk from a potential buyer. only the bank who issues the financing has that risk. the seller has been cashed out.
    what does make the difference though is that an offer to purchase based on financing can many be written with many loopholes allowing the potential buyer to back out for a multitude of reasons, some real and some not. Also saying you can get financing and actually getting approved can be iffy. banks are very fickle now.
    so that is the reason why cash is king right now. wise up stodd.
  • cash
    Thanks for responding stodd. I guess I was wondering why the seller cares if they are not the financing. I was just asking. No need for insulting name calling.
  • For Tom wanting a Condo
    Naples, FL has many condos for sale at great prices right now. I have a friend who is in the process of purchasing 10 units in a 34 unit developement. Great investment for him!
  • No Risk silly Dilly
    cash is a guaranteed payment money in the pocket, whereas as financed loan is subject to default risk.
  • Condo
    This is how I started my first home ownership with a cash only condo in New Hampshire in '87 for 33K and sold in '90 for 87K. I was 27 then living with my parents and saving for a down payment when the condo builder went bust.
  • Where Do I Find the Condo Deals
    I have cash to buy a condo but do not know where to find these deals. We are interested in a condo in Florida.
  • Cash for real estate
    With real estate & charitable contributions being about the only tax deductions we can take and the current administration contemplating removing both of these deductions, who will want to own any real estate unless they can pay cash?
  • cash
    I still don't understand why it matters to someone if you finance or pay cash. I wish I did because I plan on paying cash for my next home. I hear the same thing on car deals. They take less if paying cash. Someone please explain!!
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