How to get your offer to purchase a home accepted
in the current real estate environment.

Now you have found the perfect home and you are ready to buy.  The next step is to submit a written offer to purchase the home to the seller's agent.  What if  there are multiple offers and the seller doesn’t accept your offer as written and moves forward with another offer? 
With so many home purchasers available  and limited inventory, many homeowners  are receiving multiple offers on their homes in many cases the same day they are listed.   This makes it more difficult for you to submit a written offer to purchase  that appeals to the seller.  You will need to make sure that your offer to purchase  is flawless and appeals to the seller. In order to have the seller accept your offer to purchase, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• #1 BE PRE-APPROVED!  Know exactly how much you qualify for in the mortgage, your down payment, interest rate and type of loan.  A good loan officer can provide you this information and will be willing to provide your Realtor that same information and will advise the Realtor on how the offer should be written. This is particularly important for first time home buyers that must have seller paid closing costs.
  
  
• Be prepared to make a decision as soon as possible.  If you “sleep on it,” the home may very well get snapped up by another buyer.  I recall seeing this slogan in a new home builder's sales office and it sums this market up well...."While you were sleeping on it, the person that was sleeping on it last night is writing the contract to purchase."
  
  
• Be flexible with your Closing date.   
  
  
• Make your Offer as “clean” as possible.   For example, avoid asking the Seller to pay buyer closing costs or home warranties. 
  
  
• Submit a significant amount for earnest money and if in NC, submit a reasonable amount for due diligence.    A higher amount for earnest money and due diligence  will show that you are financially stable and serious about buying the home.
  
  
• Write the Sellers a personal letter.  Explain to the owners why you want to purchase  their home and want to live there.  You may even want to include a couple photos of your family.  If you are moving the area for the schools, tell about your children and why you want to live in their home and neighborhood.   The personal touch will make you even more memorable.
  
  
• When it comes down to price, add a calculated amount to your offer. In a multiple offer situation, it is a given that offers will be over the listing price.  Submit your best offer that you would be willing to pay for the home.  If your offer is not accepted, you may never  get a second chance. 
  
  
• Trust your Realtor to guide you when determining what to offer on a home that is likely to receive multiple offers.  Ask your Realtor to determine what is most important to the owner, such as the price or closing date.