7 Ways to Make Your Home Offer Stand Out to Sellers

A lot goes into making an offer on a home. That's why understanding the seller's preferences – while saying true to your own needs – can help your offer rise above the rest. Here are seven ways you can ensure your offer is competitive and compelling to sellers:

• Understand the seller's priorities. Maybe it's a quick closing. Maybe it's flexibility with the move-in date. If you can, make your offer more appealing by aligning it with the seller's needs. (A great real estate agent can often help you learn what those priorities are!)
• Keep your offer friendly. A respectful, well-structured offer sets a positive tone while signaling to the seller that you're serious.
• Start strong. In competitive markets, starting with your best offer can make a significant impact and differentiate you from your other potential buyers.
• Show you're serious with more earnest money. While 1% to 3% of the purchase price is typical, if you have capacity to offer more, you can send a powerful message to the seller about your level of commitment.
• Minimize contingencies. It's always important to protect your own interest with essential contingencies – but keeping your list to a minimum makes your offer more appealing to the seller.
• Add a personal touch. Consider writing a letter to the seller to include with your offer. (For even more bonus points, hand-write it!) That personal touch could sway the seller in your favor.
• When possible, offer quick closing. It's always good to check with us to see how quickly we might be able to close (30 to 60 days is typical). While there are many third parties involved in the process, if we can find ways to shorten the process by precious days, you could create a big incentive to the seller.