{"id":18938,"date":"2020-09-11T13:15:10","date_gmt":"2020-09-11T20:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=18938"},"modified":"2026-04-03T06:35:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T13:35:21","slug":"buyer-making-an-offer-on-a-house-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-making-an-offer-on-a-house-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Making an Offer: 15 Tips for Homebuyers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even a pandemic failed to slow down the 2020 real estate market<\/a>. Many major metro areas around the country have experienced low inventory and substantial demand. That means buyers who want to close a deal need to come prepared with their A-game when it comes to making an offer. What are some making-an-offer-on-a-house tips that you can follow?<\/p>\n

Yes, writing a high offer will incentivize the seller, but money isn\u2019t the only factor! You\u2019ll want to be prepared, informed, unemotional, and strategic.<\/p>\n

To help you set yourself up for success, read our primer with expert-backed tips for deciding on and presenting the strongest possible offer. (Does that mean a cash offer in your market? HomeLight Cash Offer<\/a> might be able to help you out!)<\/p>\n

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Source: (Andrea Piacquadio \/ Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Educate yourself about how offers work<\/h2>\n

First, buyers should enter into the process prepared with a fundamental understanding of how offers work in order to be as engaged and competitive as possible in the process.<\/p>\n

Basic overview: You\u2019ll work with your agent to deliver the offer to the seller\u2019s agent on the forms used in your state. It\u2019s a legally binding document once it\u2019s signed by both you and the seller.<\/p>\n

The seller will either accept your offer (in which case it becomes your purchase agreement<\/a>), or will counter your offer (you can accept or counter again), or the seller could also flatly decline. If and when all parties do agree to the terms, your agent will draft a final offer, and all parties will sign it.<\/p>\n

Set your budget limits<\/h2>\n

Knowing how to write a strong offer won\u2019t do you much good if you don\u2019t have the budget to cover it because you\u2019ve been looking at homes way out of your price range.<\/p>\n

The first step is to clarify your budget and establish your limit<\/a>. Then, make sure you are only searching for, and writing offers for, homes you can truly afford.<\/p>\n

Get preapproved for a mortgage<\/h2>\n

The importance of getting preapproved for a mortgage<\/a> can\u2019t be overstated if you want your offer to be taken seriously.<\/p>\n

\u201cSellers do not really take anyone seriously unless they’re financially qualified to buy \u2014 period, end of story,\u201d says Jase Norsworthy<\/a>, a top-selling agent in Billings, Montana.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo unless you can demonstrate to a seller when you submit an offer that you have financial qualification, then it’s an exercise in futility. I would encourage everyone before they step one foot into a property to have a preapproval lined up.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hire the right agent<\/h2>\n

Coming in with a competitive offer means arming yourself with the partnership of an agent<\/a> who understands your situation and how to be competitive in the market.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst of all, we have expertise in how to negotiate, we have expertise in what to expect,\u201d Norsworthy explains.<\/p>\n

\u201cBuyer\u2019s agents, we know the tricks. And a lot of times, we’re able to help people avoid the pitfalls that come with being hasty and going direct. Everybody deserves that representation, and in most situations, it doesn\u2019t cost the buyer a penny because the seller is paying the commission.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Source: (Liam Anderson \/ Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Decide where you can be flexible<\/h2>\n

Your offer will be stronger if you build in some wiggle room relating to factors that might seriously entice the seller to pick you:<\/p>\n