In Business Since 2001 We accept Paypal
Home Article Directory
More from Bill Platt
"Bill Platt for Book Authors" Youtube Channel
Training for Book Authors
Other Resources for Book Authors & Publishers
FictionPlots.com (350+ Plots & counting)
Please Support Our Advertisers

 
D9 Hosting


Making Offers and Negotiating on Homes

Copyright (c) 2007-2023
(See This Article in its Original Format.)

Once you have located a house that you want to purchase, your next step will be to have your RealtorŪ prepare a written offer to purchase. Making an offer can be both exciting and frightening...there are always nagging doubts about whether you are making a good decision or not.

It is a good idea to ask your RealtorŪ for their opinion regarding offering price and terms, but it is also important to remember that you are the one obligating yourself to this purchase, so don't ever feel pressured to pay more or buy a home you feel uncomfortable with.

When you are ready, simply tell your RealtorŪ that you'd like to make an offer on your favorite home. Ask them to help you determine your total payment, including taxes and insurance, based on the financing approval you have received. There are a number of questions you must address when making an offer to purchase, so that your RealtorŪ can properly complete the Offer to Purchase.

1. Financing Contingency - you would be released from your contract if you were declined for financing for any reason by the lender.

2. Subject to Appraisal - you would be released from your contract if the appraisal report indicated a value less than your purchase price.

3. Time to respond - a seller must respond by the time you specify...your Realtor may recommend a shorter or longer time, depending on market conditions and individual circumstances.

4. Amount of Earnest Money - an earnest money deposit in your Realtor's escrow account helps signify your level of seriousness and intention...the more, the better as far as a seller is concerned.

5. Closing costs - your lender and RealtorŪ may recommend that you ask for the seller to pay some or all closing costs, in order to enhance your offer or reduce your total down-payment, or both. Keep in mind that if you are asking the seller to pay your loan closing costs, the effective selling price will mean less money to the seller...be ready to adjust accordingly.

6. Home Inspection, Survey, and Pest Inspection - who pays for these items or if they are required to be purchased as part of your contract will initially be determined by your offer to purchase.

Keep in mind that if you are making a really low offer ("lowball"), you may be more successful in your negotiations if the rest of your offering terms are clean, simple, and uncomplicated. For instance, if you are offering $20k less than the offering price, the seller may be willing to look at your offer or at least make a counter-offer if you are pre-approved for financing and aren't requiring a home inspection. They might have had a previous contract that wasn't consummated because the buyers couldn't qualify for financing. Utilize the knowledge and experience of your RealtorŪ...they are familiar with your market and will help to negotiate on your behalf.

If a seller likes every part of your offer except one small detail, their response to you is still a counter-offer, which you may accept or reject, nullifying your previous offer. This information itself can sometimes be useful in negotiating, and usually the most patient party in a buyer's market will come out on top in negotiations.

Once you and the seller agree on the price and terms of the agreement, and everyone has signed the agreement, then it becomes a contract. At this point your lender will want a copy of the contract as soon as possible, so they may order the appraisal and begin processing your loan.

Making offers on homes and the negotiation process can be stressful for even veteran homebuyers. Try to remain calm and open-minded, even trying to imagine how the seller is feeling is sometimes helpful in completing negotiations. Remember, your RealtorŪ is more familiar with this process than you are, and by listening to their advice and having confidence in your decisions based on the information they provide, you should be comfortable knowing you are going about this stressful business in the most intelligent and logical way. Happy Hunting!!!


About The Author: Shop Amazon - Top Gift Ideas
Clint Wooley is co-owner of Sunscape Rentals and Sales, and HomeMax.org, a helpful source for information, tips and articles for first time home buyers. HomeMax offers free Realtor referrals and Lender referrals. HomeMax Case Managers will help guide you through the home buying process. http://www.homemax.org

VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
Needs Work >> 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 << Excellent Article

Tell our authors what you think about their article.



Top-Level Category: Finance Articles || Related Categories: Real Estate Articles

10 Most Recent Articles Written by Clint Wooley

Questions to Ask Your Realtor
Written by: Clint Wooley | Distributed: 2007-01-23 | Word Count: 380 | Page Views: 3780 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 1.30
When you begin your search for a new home, especially if you are a first time home buyer, choosing the right Realtor may be the most important decision you make.

Reasons to Be Pre-approved
Written by: Clint Wooley | Distributed: 2007-01-18 | Word Count: 322 | Page Views: 3676 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 2.07
Taking the time to apply for a mortgage before beginning your home search and being able to make offers based on a pre-approval can speed the buying process and give you additional negotiating power.

Buyer's Market, Seller's Market? A Market in Transition
Written by: Clint Wooley | Distributed: 2007-01-16 | Word Count: 423 | Page Views: 4033 | Votes: 19 | Rating: 2.37
The national home market is in transition at the moment, most markets already showing signs of slowing and increased inventory. Now may be the best time to buy!

Finding the Perfect Home - Does it Exist?
Written by: Clint Wooley | Distributed: 2007-01-11 | Word Count: 396 | Page Views: 3717 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 2.00
There is no 'perfect home', but there is the 'best' home to suit your needs...here are some tips to keep in mind during your search for a new home.

Understanding the Mortgage Process
Written by: Clint Wooley | Distributed: 2007-01-10 | Word Count: 652 | Page Views: 3655 | Votes: 18 | Rating: 2.28
Understanding what will happen during the process of applying for a mortgage through closing can remove some of the anxiety of an already stressful venture. This is a brief, but useful overview that was created from real-world situations.

Why You Should Buy a Home Now
Written by: Clint Wooley | Distributed: 2007-01-09 | Word Count: 588 | Page Views: 4004 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 2.73
These days there is literally too much information for first time homebuyers to make a decision sometimes. Fear can prevent first time home buyers from ever acting on their dream of home ownership. When you look at facts, though, buying a home makes as much sense now as it ever has.

Closing on Your Home
Written by: Clint Wooley | Distributed: 2007-01-08 | Word Count: 430 | Page Views: 4297 | Votes: 18 | Rating: 2.83
The closing process of purchasing a home can be one of the most confusing parts. This article is an attempt to help first time home buyers understand the basics of the process to settle fears and anxieties about the process.

All of Author's Articles on this site:

Most Recent "Finance" Articles

Credit Card Companies Reward Consumers Who Shop Around
Written by: Braxton Heitz | Distributed: 2012-11-20 | Word Count: 1159 | Page Views: 7547 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 1.80
With Ronald Reagan came mass deregulation in many industries. One of the industries that benefited from deregulation was the financial industry. As a result, hundreds of new financial companies were introduced to the American consumer during the 1980's. With the sudden explosion of new competitors in this industry, credit card companies began to struggle with how to retain existing customers and to recruit new customers.

What My Mother Taught Me About Credit Cards And Family Finances
Written by: Braxton Heitz | Distributed: 2012-11-12 | Word Count: 1285 | Page Views: 7514 | Votes: 31 | Rating: 2.39
My mother is an amazing woman. She made some of the hardest jobs imaginable look easy. No matter how hard her day was, she always had a smile and perfect hair.

Understanding Your 401(k), IRA and Other Pre-Tax Investments
Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak | Distributed: 2010-08-03 | Word Count: 1005 | Page Views: 5237 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 2.00
What does all of the bad economic news mean to you, the average investor. Well, if you are still working and contributing to your pre-tax 401(k)'s, 403(b)'s, or IRA savings your strategies for salvaging your retirement will include reviewing all of the investment options found in your 401(k), etc.

Xerox Follow Apple on the Comeback Trail
Written by: Jennifer Robinson | Distributed: 2010-07-27 | Word Count: 1238 | Page Views: 5880 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 0.20
In many ways the companies share similar fortunes. Apple (founded by Steve Jobs, Stephen Wozniak, Ronald Wayne) produced the first successful personal computer with a graphical operating system. Xerox (founded by Chester Carlson, Joseph C Wilson) were the inventors of Xerography (later called the photocopier).

Payday Advance Loans Are Now Only One Toll Free Call Away
Written by: Tom Tierney | Distributed: 2010-07-27 | Word Count: 599 | Page Views: 4233 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 0.50
A friend of mine recently went through financial troubles and asked me, knowing that I'm a finance writer, if I could push him in the right direction for a short term loan to help out with his expenses. Here's his story:

Stock Market Falls Sharply
Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak | Distributed: 2010-07-27 | Word Count: 879 | Page Views: 4799 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 0.83
The stock market has been having a bad week. Wednesday the market ended the day down over 300 points. I heard reports that this was the result of investors taking their profits. Happens all the time. Then within a few days, the prices on many great stocks is so low that the investors are buying the stocks right back up.

Finding the Best Credit Card Applications
Written by: Jeffrey Weber | Distributed: 2010-07-27 | Word Count: 403 | Page Views: 3820 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 0.00
Online credit card applications can be confusing. That's the way the banks want them. This article will help eliminate some of the confusion.

Do You Know the Difference Between an Investment Advisor and a Broker?
Written by: Tome Tomaj | Distributed: 2010-03-11 | Word Count: 408 | Page Views: 4619 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 3.00
As an fee-only investment advisor I come across clients from all walks of life. Lately I have noticed something in common with many of these investors. Many do not know the difference between an investment advisor and a broker who manages and/or makes securities recommendations for their clients' investment portfolios. With the almost unprecedented volatility in the securities markets, you cannot afford to dig your head in the sand when it comes to whom is managing your assets.

Understanding Term Life Insurance and Getting Quotes
Written by: Brian Greenberg | Distributed: 2010-01-13 | Word Count: 520 | Page Views: 4573 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 1.00
Buying term life insurance can be a scary process but understanding the different types of life insurance can remove the fear. What you should know about term life and how requesting life insurance quotes online can be easy and very convenient.

The Decline in the Personal Savings Rate - What Happened to the Discipline?
Written by: Tome Tomaj | Distributed: 2009-12-15 | Word Count: 873 | Page Views: 5246 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 1.33
As more and more American baby boomers are nearing and entering their retirement years, many of them are concerned about whether their retirement savings will last them long enough to ensure their current quality of life, and rightly so.

Most Viewed "Finance" Articles

A Better Way To Sell A Structured Settlement - Via Auction
Written by: Clayton Frantz | Distributed: 2007-11-30 | Word Count: 1342 | Page Views: 11978 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 1.92
Structured settlements were introduced in Canada and the United States in the 1970's. They were introduced as an alternative to lump sum payments, common in insurance settlements and lottery winnings. In the decades since, they have also been accepted as legal financial instruments in England and Australia. In a nutshell, a structured settlement by legal definition is a statutory agreement to pay a specified sum of money over a period of time, on a payment system.

Using a 401K Loan to Stop Foreclosure
Written by: Daniel Lamaute | Distributed: 2008-02-11 | Word Count: 465 | Page Views: 10873 | Votes: 19 | Rating: 1.79
A bankruptcy or foreclosure can cripple one's ability to obtain decent credit for many years. In addition, some employers and landlords won't hire or rent to a candidate with terrible credit history. Thus, it is a good idea to discuss all options with a financial planner before ending in bankruptcy or foreclosure.

What Does Short, Long, Flat And Square Mean In Forex Trading?
Written by: Sam Beatson | Distributed: 2006-10-11 | Word Count: 525 | Page Views: 8709 | Votes: 22 | Rating: 2.68
Short, long, square and flat explained in terms of forex trading (Spot FX).

Why Over 3,000 US Companies Have Chosen the Frankfurt Stock Exchange to Go Public
Written by: Ron Crowe | Distributed: 2008-07-31 | Word Count: 786 | Page Views: 8638 | Votes: 18 | Rating: 1.83
The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, one of the world's largest trading centers for securities, has over 3,000 United States companies listed. North American and other foreign companies are choosing Europe, over the United States, to go public because of the punishing Sarbanes Oxley Act introduced in the United States in 2002.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Individual and Group Health Insurance
Written by: Kevin Kielty | Distributed: 2009-04-01 | Word Count: 639 | Page Views: 7782 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 2.00
The cost of individual and group health insurance coverage varies greatly as does the type of coverage they both offer. Making the switch can bring some surprises.

How to Hide Assets
Written by: Rocco Beatrice | Distributed: 2007-01-19 | Word Count: 507 | Page Views: 7605 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 1.08
How to hide your assets by repositioning your assets through an irrevocable trust with an independent trustee.

Credit Card Companies Reward Consumers Who Shop Around
Written by: Braxton Heitz | Distributed: 2012-11-20 | Word Count: 1159 | Page Views: 7547 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 1.80
With Ronald Reagan came mass deregulation in many industries. One of the industries that benefited from deregulation was the financial industry. As a result, hundreds of new financial companies were introduced to the American consumer during the 1980's. With the sudden explosion of new competitors in this industry, credit card companies began to struggle with how to retain existing customers and to recruit new customers.

What My Mother Taught Me About Credit Cards And Family Finances
Written by: Braxton Heitz | Distributed: 2012-11-12 | Word Count: 1285 | Page Views: 7514 | Votes: 31 | Rating: 2.39
My mother is an amazing woman. She made some of the hardest jobs imaginable look easy. No matter how hard her day was, she always had a smile and perfect hair.

The Effect of Inflation and Deflation on Retirees
Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak | Distributed: 2009-10-27 | Word Count: 1324 | Page Views: 6759 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 0.86
When we worry about how long our retirement income will last, we consider so many factors. The current economy is causing a drain on 401(k)'s and IRA's. So we have become much more cautious about withdrawing money to use it as part of our pensions.

How to Avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
Written by: Jim Cramer | Distributed: 2008-02-20 | Word Count: 523 | Page Views: 6657 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 2.00
There is more than one way to get your desired home without having the 20 percent down payment and avoid PMI at the same time.

Highest Ranked "Finance" Articles

Identity Theft: The New Threat to Your Credit
Written by: Josh Pike | Distributed: 2006-08-24 | Word Count: 363 | Page Views: 4994 | Votes: 16 | Rating: 3.00
When we think of thieves, images of burglars creeping into homes and apartments come to mind. However, there are new thieves that can take much more than your money or possessions. If your personal information falls into the hands of an identity thief, your credit and finances can be ruined.

In Fear of Retirement
Written by: Daniel Lamaute | Distributed: 2008-05-08 | Word Count: 646 | Page Views: 4426 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 3.00
Many baby boomers are staring at retirement like a deer caught on oncoming headlights. They are not sure what to do or what else to do. They fear that whatever they have in savings just might not be enough. Less than 1 out of 5 workers felt very confident about having enough money for a comfortable retirement, according to the April 2008, EBRI Retirement Confidence Survey. And with good reasons, inflation is zooming at the same time that asset values are flagging.

Do You Know the Difference Between an Investment Advisor and a Broker?
Written by: Tome Tomaj | Distributed: 2010-03-11 | Word Count: 408 | Page Views: 4619 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 3.00
As an fee-only investment advisor I come across clients from all walks of life. Lately I have noticed something in common with many of these investors. Many do not know the difference between an investment advisor and a broker who manages and/or makes securities recommendations for their clients' investment portfolios. With the almost unprecedented volatility in the securities markets, you cannot afford to dig your head in the sand when it comes to whom is managing your assets.

Medicaid Asset Protection
Written by: Rocco Beatrice | Distributed: 2007-01-23 | Word Count: 646 | Page Views: 4765 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.78
Learn how to include senior Medicaid asset protection as part of your senior tax planning strategies. What are the tax implications of Medicaid and why it needs to be planned carefully? About seniors Medicaid asset protection as part of the senior tax planning strategies. Explains the new 5-year look back provisions for seniors to qualify for Medicare assistance into nursing home program.

How Do You Make Money In Currency Trading?
Written by: Tom Howze | Distributed: 2007-12-05 | Word Count: 727 | Page Views: 3900 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.78
The question, "How do you make money in currency trading?" is being asked by investors and potential investors worldwide as they witness the multi-year downturn trend of the US dollar and upswings in other currencies such as the Euro or Canadian Dollar.

Equipment Financing and The Five Cs of Credit Evaluation
Written by: Sean Marten | Distributed: 2007-10-17 | Word Count: 698 | Page Views: 4554 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 2.75
Equipment financing lenders, as well as banks, use the Five Cs to evaluate loan applications: Character, Credit, Cash Flow, Capacity and Collateral. However, while banks look at small-to-medium size companies from a Fortune 500 perspective, equipment financing companies see applicants from a small business perspective, which highlights a sixth C: Common Sense.

Reverse Mortgage Costs Are Not Too High
Written by: N. Sioris | Distributed: 2008-07-29 | Word Count: 1120 | Page Views: 4532 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 2.75
Reverse mortgage costs are repeatedly cited as one of the main reasons for seniors not to get a reverse mortgage loan. However, the same folks that harp on costs as being a reason not to use this financial resource rarely offer a less expensive option or an alternate proposal. Don't fall into the trap of listening to the negative hype without doing your own research. Find out what the true costs are and whether they are justified or not. Compare the cost of a reverse mortgage to the cost of selling your home, downsizing or moving into assisted living. Pull back the curtain and take a good look, then make your own determination. Don't base your decision on an uninformed friend, relative or media reporter.

A Recipe for Good Credit
Written by: Josh Pike | Distributed: 2006-08-17 | Word Count: 369 | Page Views: 3988 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 2.73
If your credit is not as good as you want it to be, take action now! It's easier than you think to improve your credit.

Why You Should Buy a Home Now
Written by: Clint Wooley | Distributed: 2007-01-09 | Word Count: 588 | Page Views: 4004 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 2.73
These days there is literally too much information for first time homebuyers to make a decision sometimes. Fear can prevent first time home buyers from ever acting on their dream of home ownership. When you look at facts, though, buying a home makes as much sense now as it ever has.

How to Find Financial Freedom
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success | Distributed: 2006-09-26 | Word Count: 457 | Page Views: 5142 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 2.71
Many people make finding financial freedom harder than what it actually is. In order to find financial freedom all you have to do is follow a few simple steps.











Download an eBook today
 
Directory Navigation
Locate By Category:

ALL Categories
Arts & Crafts
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Business - Offline
Business - Online
Career
Computers
Education
Family
Finance
Food & Drink
Health & Wellness
Home & Garden
Humor
Internet
Nature & Pets
Real Estate
Religion
Self Improvement
Shopping
Society
Sports & Recreation
Technology
Travel & Leisure
Uncategorized
World Events
Writing & Speaking

Change Number of Results:
50 - 100 - 200 - 500
Article Reprint Rights
Creative Commons License

This work is
licensed under a
Creative Commons
License


You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
Article Statistics
Word Count: 683

Total Views: 4097

Article Rating: 2.55 of 5
Votes Cast: 20

More Articles By Author:



Last Distribution Date:
2007-01-09 14:00:00

Internal ID: #4159





All Articles are Copyright © 2001-2023 of the Defined Authors.

All other material and images on this site are:
Copyright © 2001-2023, ThePhantomWriters.com