What are we going to do with all the multiple offers this year?

Joel Olson • January 26, 2022

(*What's your preference? Listen to the podcast above or read the blog post below)

So what is 2022 going to look like and how do we handle multiple offers differently?

So here we go. 2022 What's this year going to look like on the market?


Is it going to be another year full of multiple offers escalating house prices and buyers being frustrated not being able to crack into the market? 


Is it going to be another year where we see limited inventory as a result of a lack of supply? 


Where there isn't really that much to buy in the first place? 


I mean, there's lots of predictions. 


We all have our own opinions, but I suppose only time will tell. 


All we know is what it is today. 


And I can tell you a few things that we've learned that we are doing differently this year. 


First, we are expecting there are going to be a lot of situations with multiple offers in particular, where people are meant to go firm, at least until this cooling off period is put into place by the government.


That means we have to be a lot more diligent about making sure our clients are ready to put in an unconditional offer. 


A lot of brokers are scared to guarantee something like this. 


A lot of brokers are nervous to give clients the go ahead on unconditional offers. 


However, there's some better ways than what people have done. 


The key here is to set up what's called Plan B financing. 


It means that if, for some reason, the mortgage insurer doesn't approve you, if for some reason, you don't get approved by that lender that we’re 99.9% sure will approve you… what are we going to do? 


That may include some type of approval with a B lender, or a higher interest rate or attaching a cosigner or adding security for the property. 


All these things are things that we can put in place as a B plan so a client can go comfortably into an unusual offer, knowing that they do have at least guaranteed financing in some form. 


This is a key difference to what people are doing in the marketplace. 


You would not believe the amount of frightened phone calls we get from people that have firm offers that really didn't have financing organized in the first place. 


It's safe to assume that, even though people are telling you they think they'll be okay. 


Really, it's a scramble to the end making for a very, very stressful situation for our clients. 


So our plan and our process includes for everyone who's offered, to put a “B” financing plan in place. 


This is an important distinction and will make you look better to your clients and have a less stressful situation. 


It also means that the client can comfortably offer in a situation not just unconditional, but I think to go above asking they can do so comfortably with us talking through that. 


The second part that we might add to that would be to do an inexpensive pre-appraisal on a property through an actual appraisal.

 
Now we all know what property a should sell for and won't sell for - we will have our comparables, but why don't we have something that is legitimate from an appraiser? 


That’s something we can rely on… that means that we could actually go a little bit higher on that property. 


There's a way to do a pre-appraisal that can give some comfort around those values and comfort around going above asking (price). 


Now, of course, if this cooling off period comes into play, all bets are off.


It means that we will have a week to sort out financing.

 
This means our mortgage approval assurance plan we've talked about many times, which means our pre- approval is going to come with a $5,000 guarantee to the seller is going to make all the difference. 


If you don't know about that and want to schedule a time so you can have your clients take advantage of having $5,000 against the seller, please do schedule a call with me. 


Lastly, time kills all deals. 


We've heard loud and clear that a big issue with offers is that people do not have enough time to get the offer done. 


Many banks, many brokers, many lenders are asking for a full one week for some locations and finding that those offers rarely even pique the interest of most sellers. 


Now of course, people want to have adequate time, but what if there was a way to get the client extra pre- approved? 


I'm talking about making sure we have the identification.


Making sure we have the voided check, making sure we have every bank statement. 


What if there was a way for us to make that pre-approval work so that they can have a one day approval? 


This is possible for a limited amount of realtors and a limited amount of clients on an ongoing basis. 


We can offer approvals that are firm in one day.  If you'd like to know how to take advantage of this and the strategy this uses, please schedule a time with me because we can do an approval in one day. 


That's right. 


Make an offer 24 hours later and remove the subjects - this is huge in this market. 


Obviously these are just some of the many strategies we do and many are catered to your specific marketing needs. 


We would love to have a chance to go through anything we can help you with this year. 


It's going to be a busy one. 


Let's be prepared!

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Joel Olson
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Your Guide to Successfully Navigating the Housing Market

By Joel Olson • May 26, 2026
Wondering If Now’s the Right Time to Buy a Home? Start With These Questions Instead. Whether you're looking to buy your first home, move into something bigger, downsize, or find that perfect place to retire, it’s normal to feel unsure—especially with all the noise in the news about the economy and the housing market. The truth is, even in the most stable times, predicting the “perfect” time to buy a home is incredibly hard. The market will always have its ups and downs, and the headlines will never give you the full story. So instead of trying to time the market, here’s a different approach: Focus on your personal readiness—because that’s what truly matters. Here are some key questions to reflect on that can help bring clarity: Would owning a home right now put me in a stronger financial position in the long run? Can I comfortably afford a mortgage while maintaining the lifestyle I want? Is my job or income stable enough to support a new home? Do I have enough saved for a down payment, closing costs, and a little buffer? How long do I plan to stay in the property? If I had to sell earlier than planned, would I be financially okay? Will buying a home now support my long-term goals? Am I ready because I want to buy, or because I feel pressure to act quickly? Am I hesitating because of market fears, or do I have legitimate concerns? These are personal questions, not market ones—and that’s the point. The economy might change tomorrow, but your answers today can guide you toward a decision that actually fits your life. Here’s How I Can Help Buying a home doesn’t have to be stressful when you have a plan and someone to guide you through it. If you want to explore your options, talk through your goals, or just get a better sense of what’s possible, I’m here to help. The best place to start? A mortgage pre-approval . It’s free, it doesn’t lock you into anything, and it gives you a clear picture of what you can afford—so you can move forward with confidence, whether that means buying now or waiting. You don’t have to figure this out alone. If you’re curious, let’s talk. Together, we can map out a homebuying plan that works for you.
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How to Raise Your Credit Score and Unlock Better Rates

By Joel Olson • May 12, 2026
Want a Better Credit Score? Here’s What Actually Works Your credit score plays a major role in your ability to qualify for a mortgage—and it directly affects the interest rates and products you’ll be offered. If your goal is to access the best mortgage options on the market, improving your credit is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. Here’s a breakdown of what truly matters—and what you can start doing today to build and maintain a strong credit profile. 1. Always Pay On Time Late payments are the fastest way to damage your credit score—and on-time payments are the most powerful way to boost it. When you borrow money, whether it’s a credit card, car loan, or mortgage, you agree to repay it on a schedule. If you stick to that agreement, lenders reward you with good credit. But if you fall behind, missed payments are reported to credit bureaus and your score takes a hit. A single missed payment over 30 days late can hurt your score. Missed payments beyond 120 days may go to collections—and collections stay on your report for up to six years . Quick tip: Lenders typically report missed payments only if they’re more than 30 days overdue. So if you miss a Friday payment and make it up on Monday, you're probably in the clear—but don't make it a habit. 2. Avoid Taking On Unnecessary Credit Once you have at least two active credit accounts (like a credit card and a car loan), it’s best to pause on applying for more—unless you truly need it. Every time a lender checks your credit, a “hard inquiry” appears on your report. Too many inquiries in a short time can bring your score down slightly. Better idea? If your current lender offers a credit limit increase , take it. Higher available credit (when used responsibly) actually improves your credit utilization ratio, which we’ll get into next. 3. Keep Credit Usage Low How much of your available credit you actually use—also known as credit utilization —is another major factor in your score. Here’s the sweet spot: Aim to use 15–25% of your limit if possible. Never exceed 60% , especially if you plan to apply for a mortgage soon. So, if your credit card limit is $5,000, try to keep your balance under $1,250—and pay it off in full each month. Maxing out your cards or carrying high balances (even if you make the minimum payment) can tank your score. 4. Monitor Your Credit Report About 1 in 5 credit reports contain errors. That’s not a small number—and even a minor mistake could cost you when it’s time to get approved for a mortgage. Check your report at least once a year (or sign up for a monitoring service). Look for: Incorrect balances Accounts you don’t recognize Missed payments you know were paid You can request reports directly from Equifax and TransUnion , Canada’s two national credit bureaus. If something looks off, dispute it right away. 5. Deal with Collections Fast If you spot an account in collections—don’t ignore it. Even small unpaid bills (a leftover phone bill, a missed utility payment) can drag down your score for years. Reach out to the creditor or collection agency and arrange payment as quickly as possible . Once settled, ask for written confirmation and ensure it’s updated on your credit report. 6. Use Your Credit—Don’t Just Hold It Credit cards won’t help your score if you’re not using them. Inactive cards may not report consistently to the credit bureaus—or worse, may be closed due to inactivity. Use your cards at least once every three months. Many people put routine expenses like groceries or gas on their cards and pay them off right away. It’s a simple way to show regular, responsible use. In Summary: Improving your credit score isn’t complicated, but it does take consistency: Pay everything on time Keep balances low Limit new credit applications Monitor your report and handle issues quickly Use your credit regularly Following these principles will steadily increase your creditworthiness—and bring you closer to qualifying for the best mortgage rates available. Ready to review your credit in more detail or start prepping for a mortgage? I’m here to help—reach out anytime!