Weekly real estate update 3/17/23 – multiple offers increase, know your needs vs wants

New and coming soon listings are holding their own as multiple offers continue to increase along with pending sales. I talked to an agent this week who had 6 multiple offers on his new listing after only 2 days on the market. He said it felt like the craziness of the competition the last couple years, with offer prices above list price, and terms regarding inspections, appraisals, earnest money. This won’t be the case with every property, but competitive bidding is still out there.


Showings ticked up to support pending sales, and steady coming soon listings predicts more to come.

With a still limited supply and an increase in multiple offers it is more important than ever to identify your wants vs needs if you are buyer… read more about it in the article below from our blog at Keeping Matters Currrent.

Sharlene Hensrud – shensrud@homesmsp.com

Balancing Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer This Spring

For Buyers – First Time Home Buyers – Move-Up Buyers – Buying Myths


Though there are more homes for sale now than there were at this time last year, there’s still an undersupply with fewer houses available than in more normal, pre-pandemic years. The Monthly Housing Market Trends Report from realtor.com puts it this way: 

“While the number of homes for sale is increasing, it is still 43.2% lower than it was before the pandemic in 2017 to 2019. This means that there are still fewer homes available to buy on a typical day than there were a few years ago.”

The current housing shortage has an impact on how you search for a home this spring. With limited options on the market, buyers who consider what’s a necessity versus what’s a nice-to-have will be more successful in their home search.

The first step? Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Pre-approval helps you better understand what you can borrow for your home loan, and that plays an important role in how you’ll put your list together. After all, you don’t want to fall in love with a home that’s out of reach. Once you have a good grasp on your budget, the best way to prioritize all the features you want and need in a home is to put together a list.

Here’s a great way to think about them before you begin:

  • Must-Haves â€“ If a house doesn’t have these features, it won’t work for you and your lifestyle.
  • Nice-To-Haves â€“ These are features you’d love to have but can live without. Nice-to-haves aren’t dealbreakers, but if you find a home that hits all the must-haves and some of the these, it’s a contender.
  • Dream State â€“ This is where you can really think big. Again, these aren’t features you’ll need, but if you find a home in your budget that has all the must-haves, most of the nice-to-haves, and any of these, it’s a clear winner.

Finally, once you’ve created your list and categorized it in a way that works for you, discuss it with your real estate agent. They’ll be able to help you refine the list further, coach you through the best ways to stick to it and find a home in your area that meets your needs.

Bottom Line

Prioritizing what you need in a home is a critical first step the buying process. If you’re ready to find the one that’s best for you, connect with a local real estate agent.

Written By

I love what I do! Highly insightful, analytical and creative, there is nothing I love more than helping you find the right solution for your real estate transition. My mission is to serve my clients with honesty and integrity, exceeding their expectations in service and support… and to help others by donating a portion of every transaction to Habitat for Humanity.

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