Bear in mind, no home is perfect and every home purchase is a compromise. By now you have probably met a realty agent you want to represent you, but avoid signing any buyer's agency contract that ties you up with an agent. The best agents don't require such contracts. When your agent shows you a home meeting most of your requirements, be ready to make a purchase offer. But be prepared for rejection and negotiation.
Most home buyers make offers and counteroffers on several homes before one gets accepted.
This is the same form that should have been prepared for the seller at the time the home was listed for sale. It shows recent sales prices of comparable neighborhood homes as well as asking prices of nearby homes. With the help of your agent, you can add or subtract value for each home's pros and cons to arrive at an intelligent offer price. If the home is a good candidate for seller financing, your first offer should specify the mortgage terms you want the seller to carry for you. When seller financing isn't feasible, be sure your offer is contingent on a satisfactory appraisal, which is a contingency of your preapproved mortgage.