Making an Offer

Your complete guide to crafting the perfect offer and negotiating with confidence

Pre-Approval Foundation

Before the offer to purchase is created, it is very important that you have been at least pre-qualified or better yet pre-approved by a lender. This is one of the best negotiating tools a buyer can have. It shows the seller that you are financially able to purchase the home.

Six Key Questions to Ask

When you are buying a home, there are many problems that the seller is obligated to disclose. For example, in most states, it is illegal to withhold information about major physical defects on the property, but these disclosures don't always paint the entire picture of the home. Here are six questions you may want to ask that can offer additional insight about the prospective home before you make a final decision.

1. Seller's Motivation

Why is the seller selling the house? This question helps evaluate "real value" and potential adjustments to the offer.

2. Original Purchase Price

How much did the seller pay for the home? This can aid negotiation, but emphasizes that original price doesn't always reflect current value.

3. Property Pros & Cons

What does the seller like most and least about the property? This can reveal interesting information, including potential negatives for the buyer (e.g., a "happening community" might be too noisy).

4. Past Problems

Has the seller had any problems with the home in the past? Ask about past issues like leaks and check if repairs were done properly.

5. Neighborhood Issues

Are there any nuisances or problem neighbors? Ask about noisy neighbors, airplane traffic, or planned community changes to understand the seller's motivation for moving.

6. School Quality

How are the public schools in the area? School quality influences community value and helps gauge the area's schools.

Making Your Decision

Knowing all you can about a prospective home, not only helps you decide if it's the home of your dreams, but what offer to make as well. Your real estate professional can help you get your key questions answered and give you advice on how to evaluate your findings.

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All information provided by the seller and is deemed to be correct, but is not guaranteed. Buyer to verify and satisfy themselves with all information listed including but not limited to lot size, room sizes and square footage. Buyers are encouraged to have property inspected by inspector of their choice. Price subject to change. IDX information is provided exclusively for personal, non-commercial use, and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. You may not reproduce or redistribute this data—it is for viewing purposes only. This data is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS or NTREIS.

Listings courtesy of Austin Board of REALTORS® MLS as distributed by MLS GRID.

Based on information submitted to the MLS GRID as of All data is obtained from various sources and may not have been verified by broker or MLS GRID. Supplied Open House Information is subject to change without notice. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.

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