1. Be pre-approved before making the offer

Being pre-approved shows the seller that you have your financial ducks in a row. Even better is to have your lender pre-underwrite your file, a more thorough process in which you provide all pertinent documents to your lender. Doing this puts you in the same league as all-cash buyers. This will allow you to offer a shorter time to close because you have already cleared all of the financing hurdles, aside from appraisal, before you write the offer.

2. Don't lowball

If you haggle for produce at the farmers market, offering asking price (or above) right out of the gate might not be in your DNA. But attempting to negotiate on a house probably won't help you get to the closing table in a hot market. Go in at listing price or higher if the comparable supports a higher offer price.

3. Decrease your contingencies

Although you should go in with a strong offer, money isn't everything, and it doesn't always buy a seller's happiness. If money's been your only focus until now, change your game plan by waiving some contingencies. If you're pre-approved for a mortgage and have -- or can get a hold of -- some extra cash, you can waive the financial contingency, an agreement that lets you out of the deal if you can't get financing. This is a strategy for those who have extra cash or are using banks that do not require repairs. But keep in mind, if the appraisal comes in low, you must come up with the difference in cash. Another contingency to consider waiving is the home inspection. This is typically not recommended, however, as it removes your ability to ensure that the home is sound. A safer approach is to shorten the inspection period. Don't ask for 14 to 30 days call inspectors and have them ready to go in 24 to 48 hours.

4. Add an escalation clause

If you think a seller will get more than one offer, you can help ensure yours will be the one picked by having your offer automatically increase by a predetermined amount. Note that if the escalation clause is triggered, sellers generally have to disclose the competing offer to keep things honest. Let's say you offer $400,000 for a home with an escalation clause of $5,000 capping at $430,000. If someone else offers $410,000, your offer will automatically escalate to $415,000, beating that other offer. But if another offer comes in higher, such as $450,000, and your cap is $430,000, you would be out.

5. Offer to pay for closing costs or home warranties

Negotiations can include more than just the sale price of the home. There are costs involved with the closing process, and in a hot market, you can use those costs to your advantage by offering to pay them yourself. And here's another option: "Don't ask for a home warranty," says Tracey Hampson. "That is, on average, a $500 savings to the seller. And who wouldn't appreciate that?"

6. Write a personal letter to the sellers

Even if the sellers have a bidding war on their hands, it can still be difficult for them to part with the home they love, the home where they have made many happy memories. Sellers with an emotional attachment often want to know that the new owners will cherish the home as much as they did. Many times, buyers can appeal to the sellers on a personal basis, acknowledging the care the owners have taken with the home and expressing their desire to continue along that same path.

7. Get creative

When trying to get your offer accepted, it can pay to be creative. "Are you an artist? Maybe paint a picture of the house and give it to the seller with your offer," says Jake Goodson, a Portland, OR, broker. "Out-of-the-box stuff always hits home. But at the end of the day, your offer has to stack up financially too."

8. Be willing to wait

When you get too invested in one particular home, you might overbid. Sometimes it's best to step back and evaluate the situation. "There are thousands of homes; there is not a perfect one," says Bruce Ailion, an Atlanta, GA, real estate agent and attorney. Plus, if you wait for all the excitement to die down, you might just get the house anyway. "Many high bidders back out during inspection. The lower bidders may get a second chance at a more appropriate price," says Ailion.

Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home in Angel Fire or Taos, look to New Mexico Mountain Properties for all of your Real Estate needs. Our warm and inviting staff will help you get exactly what you are looking for, like our majestic mountain homes for sale in Angel Fire will give you the mountain setting you may want while our unique Taos homes for sale will let you get in touch with your creative side. Our Taos Ski Valley and Angel Fire condos for sale will put you right next to all the winter activities. If you're looking to build your own home, then our Angel Fire and Taos land for sale will give you the freedom to create your own dream home. If you are seeking to live totally off the grid, then look to our Taos Earthships for sale. Whatever you're looking for we can help you find it. Give us a call at 575-377-2626 in Angel Fire, 575-758-5852 in Taos or 575-770-3306 to speak directly to an agent. We are here to serve and welcome you to our spectacular area.