If an Offer Isn’t Enough in today’s Metairie Home sales

May 4th, 2015 

It was only a few years ago that the last thing a prospective Metairie home buyer had to worry about was being outbid. Those were the days when the bottom seemed to be falling out of the Metairie home sales. Anyone brave enough to be looking to buy at a time when the real estate market was frightening most folks away was not only plucky—they were also alone. Sellers who had to move no matter what found themselves forced to accept offers that they knew were well below their property’s true utilitarian value. The only saving grace was that those same sellers could turn around and buy in their new community at the same kind of crazy discount.

That, as they say, was then—and this is now. As the real estate market in Metairiecontinues to revive, sellers’ mindsets have returned to normal. Knowing that their Metairie home is a valuable commodity, they demand offers that are respectable. One national survey found that that buyers are acting quickly on the most sought-after homes, and that overall, median DoMs (Days on Market) fell to 32 in March from 40 just a month earlier.

 As the spring selling season heats up, some buyers who find the home of their dreams may also suspect that they aren’t alone. It calls for definitive action—and if it looks as if just making an offer might not win the day, some additional action. For home buyers who have a good idea that they must act decisively or miss out, here are some options for increasing the odds that their offer will be accepted:

One tactic to prevent being outbid is to add an escalation clause to the offer. If allowed, such a provision states if the seller receives another offer, then the buyers are willing to increase their own offer to a set price. For instance, a home buyer who makes an offer of $310,000 might include an escalation clause in increments of $3,000 should a competing offer appears, up to a maximum of $360,000.

Since people have different reasons for selling their home, another tactic is to discover what’s important to the seller. Perhaps they have a new job opportunity and need to vacate as quickly as possible. Or maybe they have plenty of time, and are holding out for the maximum price. Your agent may have a good idea what is motivating the sellers so that you can craft your offer around their requirements. If a normal schedule calls for an inspection period of 10 days, but the sellers want to move quickly, they may be motivated by a shorter inspection period.

Usually, home buyers find it prudent to keep the upfront earnest money pledged to a minimum, allowing them more leeway in limiting their loss if they decide to back away from the deal. Increasing the earnest money shows the sellers you are serious about completing the purchase. It also subtly affirms your financial stability. An even more substantial demonstration is to become pre-qualified with a mortgage lender. Unless an all-cash purchase is possible, it’s the best way to guarantee you will be able to act quickly. Even if competitive bidders appear, when you are a pre-qualified buyer, you increase your chances of winning out.

When I’m tapped to act as your buyer’s agent, I become your advance scout and strategic partner as you explore this spring’s exciting Metairie home sales. I hope you’ll give me a call!

                                                                                                                                                                504-975-1033

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See more information on Metairie schools from Education.com 

• Elementary {36} 
• Middle {28} 
• Preschool {21} 
• High {12} 

Elementary Schools in Metairie, LA

36 Elementary Schools found in the area.

School	Type	Grade Level	Enrollment	Students per Teacher
Alice M.Birney Elementary School Phone: (504) 885-1054 4829 Hastings St, Metairie, LA 70006	Public	PK-5	625	17
Bissonet Plaza Elementary School Phone: (504) 887-0470 6818 Kawanee Ave, Metairie, LA 70003	Public	PK-5	541	15
Bridgedale Elementary School Phone: (504) 888-6807 808 Zinnia St, Metairie, LA 70001	Public	PK-5	446	13
Bunche Academy for High School Preparation Phone: (504) 737-3132 8101 Simon St, Metairie, LA 70003	Alt.	5-8	147	11
Ella Dolhonde Elementary School Phone: (504) 837-5370 219 Severn Ave, Metairie, LA 70001	Public	PK-5	400	12
Green Park Elementary School Phone: (504) 466-0205 1409 North Upland St, Metairie, LA 70003	Public	PK-5	541	15
Harold Keller Elementary School Phone: (504) 887-3836 5301 Irving St, Metairie, LA 70003	Public	PK-5	400	14
J.C. Ellis Elementary School Phone: (504) 833-7254 801 Brockenbraugh Court, Metairie, LA 70005	Public	PK-5	536	12
Joseph S. Maggiore Senior Elementary School Phone: (504) 467-5609 2504 Maine Ave, Metairie, LA 70003	Public	PK-5	418	15
Marie B. Riviere Elementary School Phone: (504) 835-8439 1564 Lake Ave, Metairie, LA 70005	Public	PK-5	417	14
Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies Phone: (504) 833-5539 201 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70005	Magnet	PK-5	454	15
Phoebe Hearst School Phone: (504) 887-8814 5208 Wabash St, Metairie, LA 70001	Public	PK-5	580	16
Rudolph Matas School Phone: (504) 733-6200 1201 Elise St, Metairie, LA 70003	Public	PK-5	462	13
St Philip Neri School Phone: (504) 887-5600 6600 Kawanee Ave, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-7	540	16
St Louis King Of France School Phone: (504) 833-8224 1600 Lake Ave, Metairie, LA 70005	Private	PK,K-7	203	9
St Edward The Confessor School Phone: (504) 888-6353 4901 W Metairie Ave, Metairie, LA 70001 www.steddy.org	Private	PK,K-8	494	19
St Christopher Phone: (504) 837-6871 3900 Derbigny St, Metairie, LA 70001	Private	PK,K-8	638	19
St Catherine Of Siena Phone: (504) 831-1166 400 Codifer Blvd, Metairie, LA 70005 www.scsgators.org	Private	PK,K-7	736	14
St Benilde School Phone: (504) 833-9894 1801 Division St, Metairie, LA 70001	Private	PK,K-7	225	12
St Ann Elementary School Phone: (504) 455-8383 4921 Meadowdale St, Metairie, LA 70006	Private	PK,K-7	715	20
St Angela Merici School Phone: (504) 835-8491 835 Melody Dr, Metairie, LA 70002	Private	PK,K-7	400	19
Our Lady Of Divine Providence School Phone: (504) 466-0591 917 N Atlanta St, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-8	281	14
St Francis Xavier School Phone: (504) 833-1471 215 Betz Pl, Metairie, LA 70005	Private	PK,K-7	381	20
Atonement Lutheran School Phone: (504) 887-3980 6500 Riverside Dr, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-8	194	14
Metairie Park Country Day School Phone: (504) 837-5204 300 Park Rd, Metairie, LA 70005 www.mpcds.com	Private	PK,K-12	652	10
Ridgewood Preparatory School Phone: (504) 835-2545 201 Pasadena Ave, Metairie, LA 70001 www.ridgewoodprep.com	Private	PK,K-12	236	10
Ecole Classique Phone: (504) 887-3507 5236 Glendale St, Metairie, LA 70006	Private	PK,K-12	283	6
Heritage Academy Phone: (504) 887-7111 2900 Wytchwood Dr, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	5-12	90	11
Crescent City Christian School Phone: (504) 885-4700 4828 Utica St, Metairie, LA 70006	Private	K-12	325	17
St Mary Magdalen School Phone: (504) 733-1433 6421 W Metairie Ave, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-8	379	15
Parkway Presbyterian Preschool Phone: (504) 733-6340 6200 Camphor St, Metairie, LA 70003	Private, Early Childhood Program/Day Care Center	PK,K	23	8
Torah Academy Phone: (504) 456-6429 5210 W Esplanade Ave, Metairie, LA 70006	Private	PK, K-8	26	4
Victory Christian Academy Phone: (504) 733-5087 5708 Airline Hwy, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-8	159	17
St Clement Of Rome School Phone: (504) 888-0386 3978 W Esplanade Ave S, Metairie, LA 70002	Private	PK,K-7	483	13
St Martin's Episcopal School Phone: (504) 733-0353 225 Green Acres Rd, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-12	562	9
Airline Park Academy for Advanced Studies Phone: 6201 Camphor St, Metairie, LA 70003	Magnet	PK-5	280	14

Middle Schools in Metairie, LA

28 Middle Schools found in the area.

School	Type	Grade Level	Enrollment	Students per Teacher
Bunche Academy for High School Preparation Phone: (504) 737-3132 8101 Simon St, Metairie, LA 70003	Alt.	5-8	147	11
Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies Phone: (504) 837-8300 1416 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70005	Magnet	6-12	711	17
J.D. Meisler Middle School Phone: (504) 888-5832 3700 Cleary Ave, Metairie, LA 70002	Public	6-8	805	17
John Q. Adams Middle School Phone: (504) 887-5240 5525 Henican Place, Metairie, LA 70003	Public	6-8	823	18
T.H. Harris Middle School Phone: (504) 733-0867 911 Elise Ave, Metairie, LA 70003	Public	6-8	766	17
St Philip Neri School Phone: (504) 887-5600 6600 Kawanee Ave, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-7	540	16
St Louis King Of France School Phone: (504) 833-8224 1600 Lake Ave, Metairie, LA 70005	Private	PK,K-7	203	9
St Edward The Confessor School Phone: (504) 888-6353 4901 W Metairie Ave, Metairie, LA 70001 www.steddy.org	Private	PK,K-8	494	19
St Christopher Phone: (504) 837-6871 3900 Derbigny St, Metairie, LA 70001	Private	PK,K-8	638	19
St Catherine Of Siena Phone: (504) 831-1166 400 Codifer Blvd, Metairie, LA 70005 www.scsgators.org	Private	PK,K-7	736	14
St Benilde School Phone: (504) 833-9894 1801 Division St, Metairie, LA 70001	Private	PK,K-7	225	12
St Ann Elementary School Phone: (504) 455-8383 4921 Meadowdale St, Metairie, LA 70006	Private	PK,K-7	715	20
St Angela Merici School Phone: (504) 835-8491 835 Melody Dr, Metairie, LA 70002	Private	PK,K-7	400	19
Our Lady Of Divine Providence School Phone: (504) 466-0591 917 N Atlanta St, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-8	281	14
Archbishop Chapelle High School Phone: (504) 467-3105 8800 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	8-12	877	15
St Francis Xavier School Phone: (504) 833-1471 215 Betz Pl, Metairie, LA 70005	Private	PK,K-7	381	20
Atonement Lutheran School Phone: (504) 887-3980 6500 Riverside Dr, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-8	194	14
Metairie Park Country Day School Phone: (504) 837-5204 300 Park Rd, Metairie, LA 70005 www.mpcds.com	Private	PK,K-12	652	10
Ridgewood Preparatory School Phone: (504) 835-2545 201 Pasadena Ave, Metairie, LA 70001 www.ridgewoodprep.com	Private	PK,K-12	236	10
Ecole Classique Phone: (504) 887-3507 5236 Glendale St, Metairie, LA 70006	Private	PK,K-12	283	6
Heritage Academy Phone: (504) 887-7111 2900 Wytchwood Dr, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	5-12	90	11
Crescent City Christian School Phone: (504) 885-4700 4828 Utica St, Metairie, LA 70006	Private	K-12	325	17
St Mary Magdalen School Phone: (504) 733-1433 6421 W Metairie Ave, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-8	379	15
Torah Academy Phone: (504) 456-6429 5210 W Esplanade Ave, Metairie, LA 70006	Private	PK, K-8	26	4
Victory Christian Academy Phone: (504) 733-5087 5708 Airline Hwy, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-8	159	17
Archbishop Rummel High School Phone: (504) 834-5592 1901 Severn Ave, Metairie, LA 70001	Private	8-12	977	14
St Clement Of Rome School Phone: (504) 888-0386 3978 W Esplanade Ave S, Metairie, LA 70002	Private	PK,K-7	483	13
St Martin's Episcopal School Phone: (504) 733-0353 225 Green Acres Rd, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-12	562	9

High Schools in Metairie, LA

12 High Schools found in the area.

School	Type	Grade Level	Enrollment	Students per Teacher
East Jefferson High School Phone: (504) 888-7171 400 Phlox St, Metairie, LA 70001	Public	9-12	1058	17
Grace King High School Phone: (504) 888-7334 4301 Grace King Place, Metairie, LA 70002	Public	9-12	1196	17
Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies Phone: (504) 837-8300 1416 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70005	Magnet	6-12	711	17
Archbishop Chapelle High School Phone: (504) 467-3105 8800 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	8-12	877	15
Lutheran High School Of Greater New Orleans Phone: (504) 455-4062 3864 17th St, Metairie, LA 70002	Private	9-12	85	9
Metairie Park Country Day School Phone: (504) 837-5204 300 Park Rd, Metairie, LA 70005 www.mpcds.com	Private	PK,K-12	652	10
Ridgewood Preparatory School Phone: (504) 835-2545 201 Pasadena Ave, Metairie, LA 70001 www.ridgewoodprep.com	Private	PK,K-12	236	10
Ecole Classique Phone: (504) 887-3507 5236 Glendale St, Metairie, LA 70006	Private	PK,K-12	283	6
Heritage Academy Phone: (504) 887-7111 2900 Wytchwood Dr, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	5-12	90	11
Crescent City Christian School Phone: (504) 885-4700 4828 Utica St, Metairie, LA 70006	Private	K-12	325	17
Archbishop Rummel High School Phone: (504) 834-5592 1901 Severn Ave, Metairie, LA 70001	Private	8-12	977	14
St Martin's Episcopal School Phone: (504) 733-0353 225 Green Acres Rd, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-12	562	9

Preschool Schools in Metairie, LA

21 Preschool Schools found in the area.

School	Type	Grade Level	Enrollment	Students per Teacher
St Philip Neri School Phone: (504) 887-5600 6600 Kawanee Ave, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-7	540	16
St Louis King Of France School Phone: (504) 833-8224 1600 Lake Ave, Metairie, LA 70005	Private	PK,K-7	203	9
St Edward The Confessor School Phone: (504) 888-6353 4901 W Metairie Ave, Metairie, LA 70001 www.steddy.org	Private	PK,K-8	494	19
St Christopher Phone: (504) 837-6871 3900 Derbigny St, Metairie, LA 70001	Private	PK,K-8	638	19
St Catherine Of Siena Phone: (504) 831-1166 400 Codifer Blvd, Metairie, LA 70005 www.scsgators.org	Private	PK,K-7	736	14
St Benilde School Phone: (504) 833-9894 1801 Division St, Metairie, LA 70001	Private	PK,K-7	225	12
St Ann Elementary School Phone: (504) 455-8383 4921 Meadowdale St, Metairie, LA 70006	Private	PK,K-7	715	20
St Angela Merici School Phone: (504) 835-8491 835 Melody Dr, Metairie, LA 70002	Private	PK,K-7	400	19
Our Lady Of Divine Providence School Phone: (504) 466-0591 917 N Atlanta St, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-8	281	14
St Francis Xavier School Phone: (504) 833-1471 215 Betz Pl, Metairie, LA 70005	Private	PK,K-7	381	20
Atonement Lutheran School Phone: (504) 887-3980 6500 Riverside Dr, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-8	194	14
Metairie Park Country Day School Phone: (504) 837-5204 300 Park Rd, Metairie, LA 70005 www.mpcds.com	Private	PK,K-12	652	10
Ridgewood Preparatory School Phone: (504) 835-2545 201 Pasadena Ave, Metairie, LA 70001 www.ridgewoodprep.com	Private	PK,K-12	236	10
Ecole Classique Phone: (504) 887-3507 5236 Glendale St, Metairie, LA 70006	Private	PK,K-12	283	6
Crescent City Christian School Phone: (504) 885-4700 4828 Utica St, Metairie, LA 70006	Private	K-12	325	17
St Mary Magdalen School Phone: (504) 733-1433 6421 W Metairie Ave, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-8	379	15
Parkway Presbyterian Preschool Phone: (504) 733-6340 6200 Camphor St, Metairie, LA 70003	Private, Early Childhood Program/Day Care Center	PK,K	23	8
Torah Academy Phone: (504) 456-6429 5210 W Esplanade Ave, Metairie, LA 70006	Private	PK, K-8	26	4
Victory Christian Academy Phone: (504) 733-5087 5708 Airline Hwy, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-8	159	17
St Clement Of Rome School Phone: (504) 888-0386 3978 W Esplanade Ave S, Metairie, LA 70002	Private	PK,K-7	483	13
St Martin's Episcopal School Phone: (504) 733-0353 225 Green Acres Rd, Metairie, LA 70003	Private	PK,K-12	562	9