The Home Buying Process
Step 5 Of 6
Making Your Offer
You've found a house you love. It has the perfect living room, or that playroom you've always wanted for kids. But it's not yours, yet. First you have to make an offer, in writing, and submit it to the sellers. This is usually done through your agent and is accompanied by your earnest money, which is a pre-determined amount of money, demonstrating that your offer is "in earnest".
Follow the advice of your agent or lawyer when deciding how best to make your offer. Here are examples of some things your offer should include:
- The price you're willing to pay
- When you want to move in
- What kind of inspections you'd like to have (structural, electrical, plumbing)
- If your ability to buy the house depends on your ability to get financing (which is taken care of with your Nusenda Credit Union pre-approval)
- The amount of time both you and the seller have to make all these things happen (usually 30 to 60 days)
The seller then has time to consider your offer, or make a counter offer.
InspectionsIt is always wise to make your offer contingent on inspection. That means that your offer isn't really valid until the home has been carefully examined by a qualified home inspector, who is trained to take a critical look at various aspects of the home including:
- Foundation
- Plumbing
- Heating and cooling system
- Electrical system
- Roof
- Windows and doors
- Siding
- Exterior grading (to make sure water drains away from house)
- Insect inspection