Given the nuanced nature of a home purchase, buyers should familiarize themselves with the components of an offer and the process of making one ahead of their house-hunting journey.
In this article, we’ll explain the primary elements of a buying offer, how to create one, and what happens after it’s been submitted.
Looking to break into the West Toronto market? Our team of industry insiders can help you reach your home-buying goals. Call us at 416.772.4723 or reach us by email at evan@christensengroup.ca.
Before Placing an Offer
Rather than immediately matching the seller’s asking price, it is critical to proceed with an educated and strategic offer. Once you’ve found a home you are interested in, your real estate agent will perform a comprehensive analysis of the property, comparing its attributes and price to those of similar listed and recently sold homes nearby. You’ll also discuss current market conditions and whether or not you may face competition from other interested parties. With these guiding insights, you can draft a competitive and compelling offer while leaving room for negotiation.
Working through the finite details of your offer in advance is important. However, you should know that the final terms of the purchase agreement may not look exactly like your initial offer. A lot can happen during the negotiation phase.
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Offer Components
Beyond merely the price you are willing to pay for the home, your offer will include a number of other critical details. These elements are influential in protecting your investment but also presenting yourself as a qualified buyer.
Although the precise components of your offer will depend on your individual goals, there are a number of standard details that must be included in any circumstance. Those are as follows:
Standard Inclusions
- Names of the buyer and current homeowner(s)
- Property address
- Offer presentation date
- Offer expiry date
Negotiables
- Purchase price
- Deposit amount
- Possession date
- Conditions
A Note on Conditions
Including conditions on your purchase offer can be an effective avenue of protecting your interests. One common example is a home inspection contingency, which makes the sale conditional on the results of a professional property inspection that can uncover undisclosed issues. Another is a mortgage contingency, which stipulates that the buyer must secure adequate financing before the deal can be finalized.
Despite the advantageous nature of conditions for buyers, they can also make your offer less appealing to sellers. Therefore, it is important to be selective in which conditions you elect to include. Consult your real estate agent for recommendations on which contingencies are necessary and which may hinder your chances of an accepted offer.
Ensuing Negotiations
After your offer has been placed, the seller may choose to ignore it, accept it, or engage in negotiations. Keep in mind that even if you’ve crafted an informed and fair offer, it’s likely for the seller to negotiate further.
During this process, your real estate agent will go back and forth with the seller’s agent, requesting potential adjustments, additions, or omissions to the offer – all while advocating for your best interests. This is one particular aspect of the buying process where an agent’s experience and business skills are paramount.
Negotiations are vastly influential on the final outcome of your purchase and can be the difference between a successful process or a transaction that falls through. To that end, buyers should do their due diligence when selecting an agent to ensure they work with a savvy professional who can maximize the outcome of their negotiations.
Eager to know more about offers and negotiations? Consider these blog posts for more advice.
- Home Buying Contingencies: What You Need To Know
- 5 Things Buyers Can Get Through Negotiations
- 5 Negotiation Tips To Use When You’re Buying a House
Buying With the Christensen Group
If you’re looking to make a sound real estate investment in the complex Toronto market, you won’t want to go in alone. With over four decades of experience, Christensen Real Estate Group makes finding your first home seamless.
Our highly accredited and experienced team will work tirelessly to secure the best possible price, terms, conditions, and value for your first home purchase. This initial high-return investment will set you up for success as you pursue larger real estate goals in the future.
Ready to buy? Our strategic buying services can help you optimize your purchase in any market. Call us at 416.772.4723 or reach us by email at evan@christensengroup.ca.
