Tips for Writing Your Best Offer

In a competitive buyers market, writing your best offer on a home takes preparation and insight. There are simple ways to make your offer stand out so you have the best chance of rising to the top. Here are some insider tips to writing your very best offer on any property.

Know your Budget

Knowing your budget and what is over your budget, allows you to focus on the right homes. A pre-approval from a local qualified lender helps you know your maximum loan. Looking at homes listed below your max loan amount will free you up to offer what is necessary to get the home. Looking above what you are qualified to buy produces frustration, so know your limit.

Know the Market

Knowing the local market conditions is essential to understanding what a winning offer will look like. You should know the market, but even more important are the market conditions at your price point and in the areas you want to buy. How fast are houses selling in your preferred location and how much are they typically selling for is critical to writing a strong offer. Choose an agent who can educate you on the data, facts and figures so your expectations are set correctly. Ask us for our weekly housing market data for your town or area. 

Be ready to move fast

The median days on market for homes sold in Wake County in 2021 was on 15. Shockingly, 16.2% of those homes sold BEFORE showings began. So being ready to buy right when a home hits the market is critical. That’s why pre-approvals, picking a top agent and having your finances in order are things to do before seeing homes. 

Write a “clean” offer

Sometimes buyers prefer to ask for “the kitchen sink” with a home purchase. Home warranties, closing costs, an personal items like refrigerators, washers and dryers can make an offer feel cluttered to sellers. The fewer reasons the seller has to not consider your offer the better, so keep the “extras” to a minimum. 

Think like the seller

The best offers keep the buyer's interest in mind as well as the seller’s. Being able to tailor your offer to what sellers want is helpful, so think about how a seller will respond to every term. Having an experienced local agent who works with buyers and sellers gives you the insight you need. Even better is an agent who will investigate a particular home seller’s needs before you write your offer. 

Bottom Line: In an ultra competitive housing market, writing a strong offer is critical to getting the right home at the right price. The 919 Realty Group is ready to assist you in writing the best offer you can.