When you find the home you want to buy the next step is to make an offer. A successful offer will have a few key components.

Know Your Price

Knowing your market will help you make an offer the other party will want to sign. As a real estate agent I help pull together information about the trends and statistical data of the neighborhood. I’m always happy to offer advice on an offer price. It is important to remember that the more competition there is for the home, the higher the offer should be – sometimes exceeding the asking price.

When we present the listing agent with a written offer and the seller accepts it becomes a legal contract. As this time you should be prepared to pay an earnest money deposit. This is to guarantee that your intention is to purchase the property. Securing a pre-approval for the financing before making the offer increases the chances of it being accepted.

Negotiating Terms

After we present your offer to the listing agent, it will either be accepted, rejected, or the Seller may submit a counter-offer to you through me as your agent. This is when we will negotiate the terms of the contract, if the contract is not accepted as we presented.

The step-by-step contract procedure for most single-family home purchases is standard. The purchase agreement used is a standard purchase and sale agreement contract approved by your local real estate board.

The purchase agreement or contract constitutes your offer to buy, and once accepted by the Seller, again, it becomes a valid, legal contract. For this reason, it is important to understand what is written on the contract offer.

Inspections

Once you have an accepted offer its time to have the property inspected. You’ll probably need a number of inspections.

• Termites
• Property Lines
• Appraisals
• Title Reviews
• Structural

The Structural inspection is extremely important. It usually takes a few hours. This is a great opportunity to examine the property and learn about possible repairs that may be required in the next few years.

Please call or email me today for more information or questions about buying a home.

Melanie Kramer
Keller Williams Realty Coastal Area Partners
912-459-5001 Office
912-658-1390 Cell Direct