Your finances are sorted out, and your ideal location is chosen. The next step is finding that home and making a compelling offer. More importantly, one that is favored over other offers. As a growing number of people look to become homeowners, it’s important to be ready for the mortgage process, home search, auctions, and what you’ll do next if you do not get the house of your dreams. With so much to weigh, let’s look briefly at steps to let sellers know you are serious when it’s time to offer a price.

1. Get Mortgage Pre-Approval

Before you start hunting for a home, it's prudent to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This means a lender analyzes your finances and tells you how much they're willing to lend you. It's super important in a seller's market, where there's a lot of competition. Without pre-approval, sellers might not even look at your offer. They want to be sure you can get the money to buy their house. 

To get pre-approved, you'll need to show your balance sheet and your income. It's also a great moment for the lender to check your credit. Once they approve you, they'll give you a document saying you're pre-approved, which makes your offer look stronger when you find a house you like.

2. Limit Contingencies

When you make an offer on a house, you might include some "contingencies," which are terms that need to be met for the sale to go through. But too many contingencies can make sellers jittery. They want a quick sale. So, it's smart to keep your contingencies to a minimum. According to experts, sellers like offers with fewer contingencies. That way, they know the sale will likely be straightforward. But if you really need a contingency, like selling your current home first, you can still ask for it, especially if the house has been on the market for a while.

3. Make an Offer That’s Competitive

Sometimes making an offer on a house can be challenging, especially if lots of other people want the same house. The key is to make a strong offer right from the start. Your real estate agent can help you figure out what a fair offer is by looking at similar houses in the area. If your first offer isn't accepted, be ready to negotiate quickly. For example, if you are interested in houses for sale in Seattle WA, where there are more buyers than houses for sale, you need to be ready to move fast.

4. Increase Your Earnest Money

Earnest money is a deposit you pay when you make an offer on a house. It conveys to the seller that you're really serious about buying their home. Usually, it's a fraction of the purchase price, but in some areas, it's a fixed amount. If everything goes smoothly and the sale goes through, your earnest money will be used for the purchase price. But if you cancel the agreement without a valid explanation, you might lose your earnest money. So, it's important to be sure you really want the house before you make an offer.


 

5. Prepare an Escalation Clause

If you really, really want a house and you know there's a lot of competition, you might consider using an escalation clause. This is a fancy way of saying that you're willing to pay more than your initial quote, up to a certain limit. But be careful! If you use an escalation clause, the seller will know exactly how much you're willing to pay. And you might end up paying more than the house is actually worth.

6. Make a Connection

Sometimes, a personalized touch can make a big difference when you're trying to buy a house. For instance, if you are interested in homes for sale in Redmond WA, take the time to write a letter to the seller, telling them why you love their home. Maybe it's the neighborhood, the kitchen or the big backyard. Whatever it is, let the seller know. It might help them feel a sense of belonging to you, which could make them more likely to accept your offer.

7. Start the Conversation With a Lender

If you're serious about buying a home, it's a wise decision to talk to a lender early on. They can help you figure out how much you can afford to borrow and what kind of loan is best for you. As we discussed above, getting pre-approved for a mortgage will make your offer look stronger to sellers. So, reach out to a mortgage expert and get the ball rolling on your homebuying journey.

Last Words of Advice

To wrap up, landing your dream home is all about planning and readiness. Get pre-approved for a mortgage, keep your offer straightforward, and make it competitive. Don't forget to add a personal touch by sharing why you adore the house. Chat with lenders like George Moorhead early to boost your chances. With confidence and these steps, you'll soon be unlocking the door to your dream abode. So, go ahead and take those bold strides toward homeownership. You've got this!