Making the Right Offer |
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| Time for nervous anticipation. You have
found the home you want, and your Dawson Ford Garbee Sales Associate
says you need to act fast. Yet you want to be as calm and objective
as possible. The expertise a Dawson Ford Garbee Sales Associate
can give you at negotiating time is priceless. |
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| Be prepared for counter offers. Don't
let the pressure get to you. Remain patient, and let your Dawson
Ford Garbee Sales Associate act as your liaison with the seller
or the seller's agent. You may need to be flexible on price,
closing date, appliances and repairs. |
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| Contingencies |
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| Beware of putting contingencies in your
purchase agreement. They weaken your offer. However, if you
currently own a home, your offer may need to be contingent on
its sale. Or, if you're uncertain about the structural integrity
of the home, you may want to have a home inspection contigency.
Just be aware any contingency could take you out of the running
if a non-contingent offer is presented. |
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| Earnest Money |
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| Once your offer is accepted, be prepared
to seal the deal with earnest money. Earnest money is usually
a percentage of the home's purchase price that indicates you're
serious about the purchase and indicates your good faith. It's
generally applied to the purchase price when you complete the
purchase, but may be forfeited to the seller if you fail to
complete the purchase. Contact your Sales Associate to determine
the amount of earnest money you should be prepared to pay based
on your target home price. |
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| Many first-time buyers are taken by surprise
when it comes to earnest money, especially if they have to make
a fast offer. Be sure to discuss with your Sales Associate the
appropriate amount of earnest money you should be prepared to
pay based on the price range of properties you're looking at.
You should have this amount available in your checking account
so you can write an earnest money check on the day you sign
your purchase agreement. |
