- THE OFFER -

An offer consists of more than just the sale price. Key elements to consider include:

• Deposits
• Financing Type
• Timeframe
• Contingencies

YELLOW simplifies this process, making it straightforward to accept, reject, or counter an offer.

Don't forget, YELLOW is here to help and can walk through any form with you.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• The Balance Purchase Contract
• Lawyers.com Understand Your Home Purchase Agreement Before You Sign

- PARTS OF THE OFFER -

We'll discuss the key sections of the contract below.

SALE PRICE

The sale price is the most crucial component of the offer. Determine if the price meets your expectations and calculate your net proceeds using these calculators:

• YELLOW Sale Price Excel Spreadsheet
• Anytime Estimate Florida seller closing costs

CONTINGENCIES

These are the things that must be completed or satisfied before the deal can be closed. They are for the benefit of the buyer - if they aren't completed or if they reveal a problem, the buyer can back out of the deal and keep their earnest money.

COMMON CONTINGENCIES

Inspection

You have already completed an inspection that YELLOW has provided for the buyer. However, buyers may conduct their own inspections.

The buyer can walk away from the deal if an inspection reveals a problem that they don't feel comfortable with. This could be any inspection - from the general inspection to the WDO or lead paint or septic or any other inspections that may have been completed.

Appraisal

An appraisal will be required for buyers using a mortgage.

If the appraisal comes in below the amount you agreed on, it will give a reason for the buyer to try to renegotiate the sale price. If a deal isn't reached, they can cancel the contract. This is usually only if the appraisal is significantly below the sale price - slightly below is often acceptable.

Financing

Even though the buyer has a preapproval for a mortgage, they may not be ultimately be approved for a mortgage. Without financing, the deal falls apart and the buyer can exit without penalty. This is the most common reason for deals falling through.

Title

Any title issues may result in the buyer canceling the deal.

Keep in mind that these, too, are all a part of a negotiation. If you disagree with the contingencies, you can reject or counter the offer.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Forbes 5 most common contingencies
• The Balance Crucial types of contract contingencies
• The Mortgage Reports Should I accept a contingent offer?
• NOLO.com Contingencies included in a purchase contract

FINANCING METHOD

The offer will include how the homebuyer will finance the purchase. This is important because it gives you an idea how long it will take to close.

• Cash buyer – this is usually the simplest and quickest to close.
• Traditional mortgage (usually 20% down or more) – this buyer usually has decent finances and will close with less surprises than a buyer with a smaller deposit.
• FHA or VA – the buyer makes a smaller down payment and there may be more surprises and take a little longer to close.

CLOSING DATE

This is the date the buyer plans on closing. Closing quickly may sound great, but you must have a new place to live and need time to pack. Ideally, the closing date should be realistic and convenient for both parties.

The average closing time is around 45 days and most close between 30-60 days (what is the buyer doing during the closing process? Find out HERE). Have realistic expectations for closing times.

• The Mortgage Reports How to choose the right closing date
• Better Homes & Gardens When to set your closing date

EARNEST MONEY

This deposit is the amount the buyer will pay into an escrow account to show that they are serious about their offer. It's most common to see a deposit of 1% - 2% of the purchase price, and usually a round number in that range, like $2,000 or $4,000. Homes on the lower end are usually closer to 1%.

If the buyer fails to follow through on certain parts of the contract before closing, the seller will likely be entitled to that money.