As difficult as it may be to believe summer is almost over.  While the official end of summer isn’t for another six weeks the summer home selling season ends right around Labor Day.  For many sellers this closes their window of selling before the start of the school year and the beginning of autumn.  With this there is often a decrease in the amount of inventory.  As a real estate investor there is still time to take advantage of the few weeks left in the season.  By locating sellers who are desperate to move you can find yourself with a great deal in the coming weeks.  Here are a few ways to take advantage of the last few weeks of summer.

1. Scour the MLS.  One way to find deals is by looking through the multiple listing service (MLS).  Look for properties that have been on the market for at least 90 days or are set to expire in the next 30 days.  There are many sellers who put their home on the market in the spring looking to sell quickly.  When this doesn’t happen it can serve as a wakeup call that their home may be listed too high.  This is the same whether you are looking at bank owned properties or a traditional sellers.  A property that is set to expire shortly is much more likely to take a below asking price offer than one that is fresh to the market.
2. Read Comments.  As you are pouring through listings provided by your real estate agent it is important to look at the comments.  Often times the seller will provide plenty of hidden information in the comment section.  The comments may give you an idea on the condition of the property and whether or not they will entertain all offers.  A property that needs work coupled with a desire to negotiate and a listing that has been on the market for over 90 days is a great candidate for a potential deal.  It takes some time to pour through every listing but the payoff is often a good deal.
3. Quick Closings.  There are many sellers who want to avoid selling in the fall and eventually the winter.  They understand the struggles of showing a home with leaves all over the yard and snow in the driveway.  One of the most important factors for them is the ability to close quickly.  However you structure your offer you need to highlight just how quickly you can close.  A solid cash offer that can close in a few weeks may be enough to push it over the top.  This is especially the case with short sales, foreclosures and REO properties.  Banks don’t want to have to pay to have the property winterized or risk having it roll over to next year.  By highlighting everything wrong with the property coupled with a quick closing you may stumble upon an extra deal or two in the coming weeks.

There is opportunity for investors in every market and every time of year.  It is up to you to take advantage of them.