Seller’s situation

It can be helpful for a buyer to find out where a seller is coming from before making an offer. How long have they lived in the home? Is the home a short sale? Was it a rental property? Are they relocating and need to move quickly? Will they accept a contingent offer or do they want an as-is sale?

These things can affect the timing of the purchase, what type of financing the seller will accept, how much information you will get on disclosures, and how flexible the seller will be if the buyer makes repair requests.

If you are looking for a move-in ready home an owner-occupied home may be a better choice than a long-term rental. If the home was a rental for most of it's life, usually there will be some deferred maintenance to expect, that even a well-intentioned seller may not be aware of much of it. Rentals usually will suffer more wear & tear than owner-occupied homes.

A home is a big purchase and financial commitment. A seller who will give a thorough history on the property may be more comfortable to deal with than a faceless entity who never lived in the home. Offers can be priced and worded accordingly to the benefit of both parties.