Closing the DealAfter the seller accepts your offer, you enter the escrow phase. This is where meticulous paperwork, strict deadlines, and due diligence finalize the sale.Schedule an
Simplifying the Home Buying Process-Making an Offer and Negotiating
Dated: July 16 2026
Views: 105
Making an Offer and Negotiating
Once you find the perfect home, the transaction officially begins. This phase requires strategic thinking and a calm demeanor.
Analyze Comps
Determining a fair market value requires looking closely at recent sales data, commonly called "comps." Work with your agent to analyze homes in the immediate neighborhood that match your property's size, condition, and layout, and that have sold within the last three to six months. This data prevents you from overpaying in a hot market and provides concrete, evidence-based leverage if you need to justify a lower offer to a skeptical seller.
Speak with Your Lender
Before drafting your offer, speak with your lender. Sellers will want a pre-approval letter to be part of your offer. I recommend asking the lender to write a pre-approval letter for the exact price you are offering. This puts you in a better negotiating position since the seller does not know if you are pre-approved for more than the price you are offering. Your lender can also give you the most accurate estimate of how much cash, if any, you will need to bring to closing and how much your monthly payment will be at the purchase price you are offering.
Draft the Offer
Your formal purchase agreement is a legally binding contract that outlines the complete terms of your transaction. Beyond the headline purchase price, this document explicitly details your proposed closing timeline, target move-in dates, and initial earnest money deposit (usually about 1% of the purchase price). It also specifies which appliances or fixtures must remain with the property, leaving absolutely no room for misunderstanding.
Include Contingencies
Contingencies are your legal escape hatches, protecting your earnest money deposit if the deal falls through due to factors outside your control. A standard offer should always include major safety clauses: an inspection contingency to evaluate property defects, an appraisal contingency to ensure the home's value matches the loan amount, and a financing contingency that gives you an out if your final mortgage loan falls through.
Counter-Offer Negotiation
It is entirely normal for a seller to respond to your initial bid with a counter-offer adjusting the price, closing date, or specific terms. Keep your emotions entirely out of this process and view it as a routine business transaction. Your agent will negotiate through the listing agent on your behalf, helping you strategically balance compromises on minor points while holding firm on your financial boundaries.
Navigating the negotiation table requires a firm grip on your boundaries and a reliance on hard data. By basing your initial bid on reliable comps, drafting a tight purchase agreement, securing your earnest money with protective contingencies, and approaching counter-offers with business-minded composure, you position yourself for a winning outcome. Remember that a successful negotiation is not about winning a battle against the seller, but about securing a fair, legally protected agreement that sets you up for long-term financial stability.
At Boomer Lee Homes we feel that educating home buyers is the first step to a successful purchase. Check back each Thursday as we shed light on all aspects of the home buying process. And contact us anytime for a free consultation! If you’re buying or selling a home in Savannah GA, Richmond Hill GA, Pooler GA, and the surrounding area, we can help!
Boomer Lee Homes: 912-312-5000
Next Move Real Estate: 912-925-5807
Latest Blog Posts
Putting a "For Sale" sign in your front yard is only the first step. In today's competitive and fast-paced market, securing the best possible offer for your home requires a multi-faceted approach.
A massive wave of more than 100 new state laws officially went into effect across Georgia on July 1, 2026. Passed during the latest legislative session, these measures bring significant shifts to
Making an Offer and NegotiatingOnce you find the perfect home, the transaction officially begins. This phase requires strategic thinking and a calm demeanor.Analyze CompsDetermining a fair market
The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity Program of the Savannah multi-List Corporation. Real Estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Next Move Real Estate are marked with the name of the listing brokers.
Data last updated: September 23, 2026 12:18 AM UTC
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
© 2026 Savannah Multi-List Corporation. All rights reserved.
©2026 Georgia Multiple Listing Service All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the South Carolina - CML Consolidated Multiple Listings. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Next Move Real Estate are marked with the IDX logo.
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) nor Next Move Real Estate shall be responsible for any typographical errors,
Hinesville Area Board of REALTORS® All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested
