The Home Buying Process
Step 5 Of 6
Step 6: Make An Offer
You've found a house you love. It has the perfect living room, or that playroom you've always wanted for kids. But it's not yours, yet. First you have to make an offer, in writing, and submit it to the sellers. This is usually done through your agent, and is accompanied by your earnest money, which is a pre-determined amount of money, demonstrating that your offer is "in earnest."
Follow the advice of your agent or lawyer when deciding how best to make your offer. Here are examples of some things your offer should include:
- The price you're willing to pay
- When you want to move in
- What kind of inspections you'd like to have (structural, electrical, plumbing)
- If your ability to buy the house depends on your ability to get financing (which is taken care of if you're pre-approved by us)
- The amount of time both you and the seller have to make all these things happen (usually 30 to 60 days)
The seller usually has 24 to 48 hours to consider your offer or make a counter offer, which means, under the terms you offered, they want to sell you their house, but they want a change.
When you both agree on terms, you have a deal. You sign a contract, your earnest check goes in an escrow account.
Inspections
It is always wise to make your offer "contingent on inspection". That means that your offer isn't really valid until the home has been carefully examined by a qualified home inspector, who is trained to take a critical look at various aspects of the home including:
- Foundation
- Plumbing
- Heating and cooling system
- Electrical system
- Roof
- Windows and doors
- Siding
- Exterior grading (to make sure water drains away from house)
How do you find an inspector? Your real estate agent can help. Or look in the Yellow Pages® under "Home & Building Inspection Service".
