Once you’ve found the right home, it’s time to get serious! That means submitting an offer and signing a contract agreement with the sellers.  Recently about one-third of homes nationwide sold in less than 30 days. Homebuyers are having a tough time simply making offers before their potential dream homes are snatched up by other buyers.

What should be included in your offer?

Your purchase agreement will include details of the real estate transaction like:

• Buyer and seller information
• Property address
• Purchase price, lender information and down payment amount
• Earnest money deposit - your pledge you are truly interested in buying their home.
• Items to be left with the home (like appliances or furniture)
• Contingencies like the home inspection, appraisal and final mortgage approval
• Closing date

Sometimes agreeing on terms is quick and painless, but it can also be one of the hardest parts of the process.

6 Ways to Beat The Competition

Your real estate agent will work with you to submit a solid offer.  If you end up in a bidding war with other buyers, keep a cool head and consider the following:

• Put your best foot forward. You might get only one chance to make an impression on the seller, so don't make a low offer hoping the seller will give you a counteroffer. If the seller has received multiple offers, the low offers most often are not even considered. They are shoved into the rejected pile. Figure out the top dollar you are willing to pay for the home and offer that price. 
• Submit your pre-approval from your lender.  Assure the sellers your financing is rock solid.
• Increase your earnest money.  It’s traditional to pay 1–2% of the home’s purchase price as earnest money.  A higher deposit not only shows you’re serious about buying the home, it also demonstrates your ability to pay for it. Your earnest money will be applied to your down payment or closing costs.  And don’t worry. Even if the deal falls through, in many cases you can get most of your earnest money back.
• Write a friendly offer. Don't include demands likely to irritate the seller. If it is customary in your area for the buyer to pay for their own title insurance policy or home warranty, don't ask the seller to bear that cost. 
• Offer to close quickly.  Unless there are extenuating circumstances, many sellers prefer to close within 30 days or fewer. If you can offer a 21-day closing time frame, that might be more important to the seller than an offer for more money.  
• Shorten contingencies. Standard real estate purchase contracts give the buyer a specified number of days to obtain inspections, appraisals and mortgage approval before the buyer is required to proceed with the transaction. If you are in position to shorten (or possibly waive) those periods, it may be just the edge you need to beat out the competition

If your negotiations get intense, remind yourself that both parties want the same thing. The sellers want to sell their home, and you want to buy it! Sometimes it pays to compromise on little details if that will move the process forward. A good real estate agent can give you advice about when to give in and when to hold firm.

Once you offer is accepted and you’re under contract, what should you expect?