Make a home offer a seller can't refuse

FALLBROOK – Buying a home can be very competitive. A well-maintained property with all of the bells and whistles that today's buyers demand figures to attract many offers, and buyers who have found their dream homes must be prepared to make an offer that sellers can't refuse.

Standing out in a sea of other potential home buyers is not always so easy, but there are steps buyers can take to ensure their offer is the one sellers ultimately accept.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Sellers' patience may wear thin with buyers who are not pre-approved for a mortgage when making their offers. Pre-appr...