Thinking of Making an Offer? 4 Tips for Success

So you’ve been searching for that perfect house to call a ‘home,’ and you finally found one! The price is right, and in such a competitive market that you want to make sure you make a good offer so that you can guarantee your dream of making this house yours comes true!

Freddie Mac covered “4 Tips for Making an Offer” in their latest Executive Perspective. Here are the 4 Tips they covered along with some additional information for your consideration:

1. Understand How Much You Can Afford

“While it’s not nearly as fun as house hunting, fully understanding your finances is critical in making an offer.”

This ‘tip’ or ‘step’ really should take place before you start your home search process.

As we’ve mentioned before, getting pre-approved is one of many steps that will show home sellers that you are serious about buying, and will allow you to make your offer with the confidence of knowing that you have already been approved for a mortgage for that amount. You will also need to know if you are prepared to make any repairs that may need to be made to the house (ex: new roof, new furnace).

2. Act Fast

“Even though there are fewer investors, the inventory of homes for sale is also low and competition for housing continues to heat up in many parts of the country.”

According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report, the inventory of homes for sale is currently at a 3.6-month supply; This is well below the 6-month supply that is needed for a ‘normal’ market. Buyer demand has continued to outpace the supply of homes for sale, causing buyers to compete with each other for their dream homes.

Make sure that as soon as you decide that you want to make an offer, you work with your agent to present it as soon as possible.

3. Make a Solid Offer

Freddie Mac offers this advice to help make your offer the strongest it can be:

“Your strongest offer will be comparable with other sales and listings in the neighborhood. A licensed real estate agent active in the neighborhoods you are considering will be instrumental in helping you put in a solid offer based on their experience and other key considerations such as recent sales of similar homes, the condition of the house and what you can afford.”

Consider ways of making your offer stand out! Many buyers write a personal letter to the seller letting them know how much they would love to be the new homeowners. Your agent will be able to help you figure out if there are any other ways your offer could stand out above the rest.

4. Be Prepared to Negotiate

“It’s likely that you’ll get at least one counteroffer from the sellers so be prepared. The two things most likely to be negotiated are the selling price and closing date. Given that, you’ll be glad you did your homework first to understand how much you can afford.

Your agent will also be key in the negotiation process, giving you guidance on the counteroffer and making sure that the agreed-to contract terms are met.”

If your offer is approved, Freddie Mac urges you to “always get an independent home inspection, so you know the true condition of the home.” If the inspection uncovers undisclosed problems or issues, you can discuss any repairs that may need to be made, with the seller, or cancel the contract.

Bottom Line 

Whether buying your first home or your fifth, having a local professional on your side who is an expert in their market is your best bet to make sure the process goes smoothly. Give me a call and we’ll make it happen – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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20055 W Campbell Avenue Buckeye, AZ 85396

$599,990

4 Beds

3.5 Baths

2,608 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6776604

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

KITCHEN: Maple Painted White Cabinetry and 3 ½'' shaker crown, Gas GE Profile 36'' stainless steel Cooktop with wall oven, Quartz Countertops, Extended Island, Box-in for 36'' refrigerator. FLOORING: 7X48 Wood look and upgraded carpet & pad. INCLUDED OPTIONS: Spanish exterior, Pre-plumb for soft water loop and Corner sliding door

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16373 W Morning Glory Street Goodyear, AZ 85338

$599,990

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,510 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6787125

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

QUICK MOVE-IN HOME! MOVE INTO YOUR NEW HOME BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS! SPECIAL FINANCING WITH BELOW MARKET INTEREST RATES AVAILABLE! MOVE-IN PACKAGES AVAILABLE! PLEASE INQUIRE ABOUT THESE SPECIALS ON THIS QUICK MOVE-IN HOME AND OTHERS. ACT SOON BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE! Lot large enough for a 8' gate. North/South exposure with landscaped area behind the home, so no neighbors. Brick pavers at drive, walk and entry, Multi slide door off the great room perfect for entertaining. Owner's bath has walk in shower with tile & floor surrounds. Stainless steel gas appliance package with a 30'' cooktop, wall oven, microwave and canopy good. Maple Slate-Gray cabinets with pull out trash drawer. AZT Terra guartz ''Linen'' countertops in kitchen and baths. Upgrade flooring includes Firenza 20x20 tile in all areas except for bedrooms and closets. 8' tall garage door with two remotes and so much more. Please verify all information with onsite agent. Thank you!

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1193 E Spruce Drive Chandler, AZ 85286

$599,990

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,952 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6723603

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

LAST HOME IN THE COMMUNITY! Close by end of the year. Former Model, Move in ready! Take advantage of great Builder Incentives. Welcome to Willis Commons, a beautiful, private, gated community of only 35 homes with fantastic amenities including Community Clubhouse with fitness room, green spaces, and play park with splash pad. Great Chandler location off the 202 and McQueen Road with nearby Paseo Canal Trail for biking and hikes. Easy access to everything Chandler and Gilbert offer and only 5 minutes from Downtown Chandler. The popular Arcadia plan design features 4 generous sized bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, plus 2 car garage. -out. Open kitchen with large island and granite counters include lots of cabinet and pantry storage, plus all stainless appliances included. Owner's suite is on main floor and has spacious attached bathroom with separate tile surround shower and soaking tub as well as a large walk-in closet. Convenient laundry room on the main floor with 3 additional bedrooms upstairs. Lots of architectural character outside and low maintenance size yard. An amazing well-designed new home that is practical yet feels so very luxurious.

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16050 S 11th Place Phoenix, AZ 85048

$599,990

2 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,559 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6768886

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Nestled in the sought-after Ahwatukee Foothills, this beautifully remodeled WATERFRONT home offers stunning lake and mountain views. The bright, open kitchen seamlessly connects to the living and dining spaces, leading to a tropical backyard and patio overlooking the water. Dual master suites come with private, updated bathrooms, including a spa-like step-in shower on the main floor. A versatile loft is perfect for a home office or gym. Located steps from the lakeside pool, spa, and walking paths. Updates include new windows, roof, AC, kitchen, baths, and more. Close to golf, hiking, and freeway access.

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9807 W Cedar Drive Sun City, AZ 85351

$599,988

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,979 SqFt

Status Active Under Contract

MLS # 6747649

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Professionally designed, professionally remodeled from the studs out, meticulously maintained, and lovingly lived in -on the inside this home is the next best thing to a new-build while on the outside it's a ''sleeper,'' retaining the timeless and unassuming charm of its established, original 55+ Sun City neighborhood. The owners had a vision to redesign this home as a vacation destination for their out-of-state family and friends. It was imagined and built to combine stunning visuals with both a casual and comfortable feel. It's practical for a retired couple of two, and equally as practical when all the kids (with all your grandkids) fly in. From 2016 through 2019, this home received the ultimate Cinderella make-over. Click on ''More'' for a sample of the exhaustive list of updates. New plumbing throughout; completely new electrical including recessed lighting and hard-wired smoke detectors to keep you safe; new drywall with rounded corners, high ceilings, and a beautiful Santa Fe texture that makes the walls look plastered; all one tile from the inside laundry room through the kitchen, closets and bathrooms to all three (or four) bedrooms; new bathrooms with uniquely designed, extra-large, travertine showers and chair-height toilets just to make life a little easier; new show-stopper expanded entertainer's kitchen with three ovens, a butler's pantry/laundry room with removable desk, and a 10 foot beverage center with built-in wine cooler, and a whopping 9-and-a-half foot by 5 foot quartz island and two quartz sinks; new dual-pane, Milgard windows; and a new roof with 38 panels of low $ leased solar on a contract that never goes up. Even the formal dining room has an added closet and removable built-in desk, so it can be used for a 4th bedroom, a den , or to sit the whole family for holiday meals. But wait, we still have the outdoor space: step through an over-sized sliding door from the kitchen, from the great room, or from the primary bedroom onto a vast (59'x14') covered patio large enough for five tables of eight, built-in cabinets, and a cornhole set up. There, your eye is immediately drawn to a stunning, propane heated, Pebble-tech pool with a salt system, an in-floor cleaning system, and a marble-topped, raised, and a huge 14-foot-long hot tub with spillway. This show-piece pool sits in an over-sized yard with 6-foot, stucco privacy wall, and it sits next to a gorgeous, granite-topped, 9 foot outdoor kitchen that includes a fridge and a 36 workstation sink with disposal. Finally, the two car garage also has room for up to two golf carts while an extra slab was poured next to the drive way to provide extra, off-street parking. If you're looking for a way to entice the kids to visit and/or a home professionally designed for entertaining, this home was built for you. You should come see.

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3221 W Kristal Way Phoenix, AZ 85027

$599,950

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,306 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6752650

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This beautiful home has a North/South orientation on a large corner lot in the all-one-story Country Ridge neighborhood. A delightfully green back yard features a large covered patio and an open patio adjacent to a Pebble Tec play pool. The family room/kitchen/breakfast area is the center for entertaining friends. .A very large granite counter provides lots of serving space for indoor/outdoor parties. The formal living room and dining room give you that special location for holiday fun. You will be comfy cozy on those chilly winter evenings and you will have No Problem with those ''no burn days'', because the fireplace has a gas log set and an owned propane tank. The walk-in pantry has full shelves and is a room of it's own. The kitchen is a gourmet's delight with pull-outs in the base cabinets and loads of luxurious granite counter space. There is a High Definition Broadcast TV Antenna installed and ready to receive local channels for FREE. An extended Three Car Garage has two garage door openers, an epoxy coated floor, painted walls & ceiling shelf & cabinet storage AND Air Conditioning and Heat from a mini split system. The carport provides covered parking for a fourth car. The deep garage gives you lots of shop space and when you combine this with the bonus covered work area that is adjacent to the car port, you have a dream setup for hobbies, gardening, auto maintenance/restoration or whatever your heart desires. There are multiple Charter, Private and Public educational choices for your children within walking distance. The neighbors are great, the street has very little traffic and the freeway is just a few minutes away. Commuting to downtown Phoenix, the Scottsdale Airpark Area or the Taiwan Semi Conductor Campus are all within easy reach. Welcome Home!

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7027 N Scottsdale Road Unit 237 Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

$599,950

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,472 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6745409

Property Type Apartment

Price Type --

Location.. Location.. Location.! Situated in the Scottsdale Resort Corridor, this RARE 3-bedroom split floor plan, 2 bath, 2nd level, Gated Luxury Condo is all on one floor. Gently lived in as a second home it comes complete with your own secure detached 1 car Garage, Community Pool, Spa & Fitness Center. All high quality, newer furnishings are available on separate bill of sale. You can Move-Right-In as it's available Turn-Key if you desire! Located adjacent to the McCormick Ranch golf course you'll be walking distance to fine and casual dining at the Seville Shopping Center and merely minutes to the Heart of Scottsdale including the new Paradise Valley Ritz Carlton, Scottsdale Fashion Square, Old Town Scottsdale, Kierland, the Scottsdale Quarter, and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Other features and highlights include; Spacious 10-foot ceilings Granite kitchen counters Included full size washer and dryer laminate wood and tile flooring throughout HOA Fees cover - water, sewer, trash 2 of the three bedrooms offer Large Walk-in closets Controlled Gated Entry Grill Areas McCormick Ranch Walking and Bike Trail

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207 S Beaver Street Unit 306 Flagstaff, AZ 86001

$599,900

1 Bed

1 Bath

794 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6773451

Property Type Apartment

Price Type --

Never lived in before! One bedroom, one bathroom condo with a walk-in closet, located in the heart of historical downtown Flagstaff. Reserved exterior parking spot, common area roof deck with two BBQ's, chairs and views that go on forever. Unit #306 has a private balcony with views of the mountains to the west and its own storage closet. Prime Flagstaff location, walking distance to everything. Upgraded unit on the third level of this stunning new 32-unit building. Seller will consider a seller carry. Don't miss out on this special condo.

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907 E Rose Lane Phoenix, AZ 85014

$599,900

3 Beds

3 Baths

1,553 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6784429

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to this charming, custom-remodeled home, in the heart of North Central. Completely transformed in 2016, this residence has impeccable upgrades, making it move-in ready. Step inside to beautiful flooring throughout, featuring a mix of carpet and wood tile. The home is bathed in natural light, thanks to the dual-paned windows. The heart of the home, the kitchen, is a chef's dream with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, new lighting, and custom Shaker-style cabinets. It opens to a spacious family room, complete with a cozy fireplace and dual doors leading to the expansive backyard. The primary suite features a large walk-in closet, a recently updated three-quarter bath, and an additional secondary closet for extra storage. The large backyard is perfect for entertaining, with plenty of grassy space, a fire pit, and a 10x8 standalone storage unit. Parking is a breeze with a two-car carport and additional slab parking for up to four cars. Located with easy access to top Valley schools, popular restaurants, and shopping, this home offers the perfect balance of convenience and charm. Don't miss your chance to live in a neighborhood that everyone loves to call home.

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600 S Wilson Street Tempe, AZ 85281

$599,900

2 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,795 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6772249

Property Type Townhouse

Price Type --

Just Listed at the Brownstones at Hyde Park. Beautifully updated 3 story property located within quiet tree lined streets, with great walkability to all Downtown, ASU, and Tempe Town lake. The home boasts 2 bedroom suites, each with large walk in showers. The mail level great room has vaulted ceilings and new light plank flooring. Minka ceiling fans with 99'' fan in the main living area. Large front bay window for morning sun. Lots of room for dining space, and kitchen with granite counters, custom cabinets and new fridge 2021. The lower level has tile and new carpet. 2 car garage with wall storage for your bikes. RO System, and whole home water softener. Updated Lutron smart lights, Nest thermostats, smoke alarms and Nest doorbell too. Large community Pool! All here in the heart of Tempe

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16420 N Thompson Peak Parkway Unit 1127 Scottsdale, AZ 85260

$599,900

2 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,640 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6716181

Property Type Townhouse

Price Type --

This super clean and well maintained townhome has never been on the market until now. Updated w/new paint & carpet this Cachet Legacy floorpan is one of there most popular as it has soaring ceilings w/office/bedroom down and master plus a second bed/bath up. Nice sized kitchen family room w/gas fireplace and only one common wall so very private and feels like a detached unit. Add to this a direct entry 2 car garage and an unbeatable location in McDowell Mountain Ranch within walking distance to the Big, Bashas, CVS, etc. McDowell Mountain features parks, walking trails, a great community center w/tennis, pickle ball, basketball, and pool. Cachet features its own community pool/spa plus a small workout center & clubhouse. This unit has been well maintained & iis priced to sell quickly.

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2515 W Minton Street Phoenix, AZ 85041

$599,900

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,795 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6755439

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Up to $10 GRANT OF PNC BANK. Please check if your client qualifies. A fantastic single-level home with four beds and three full baths awaits you! Offering attractive curb appeal, a three-car garage & RV gate/parking. The double-door entrance leads to a charming interior with a w/carpeted living & dining room, luxurious light fixtures, beautiful pillars, archways throughout, & neutral palette. Well-maintained kitchen is equipped w/SS appliances, double refrigerators, cabinetry w/crown molding, granite counters, mosaic backsplash, walk-in pantry, & a center island w/breakfast bar. The main bedroom has a double-door entry and a spotless bathroom w/dual sinks, a separate tub, & walk-in closet. Host fun barbecues in this spacious backyard with a w/covered patio, pavers, & storage shed.

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