You found the perfect home and you are ready to buy it. What do you do next?
Your real estate associate can now help you submit a real estate offer to purchase the home.  Before signing a contract, make sure to read it carefully and make sure you understand everything.  If you have any questions, be sure to ask them. Here are some of the contract provisions you may see:

• Address & Legal Description of Property
• Sale Price
• Earnest Money Deposit – (Good Faith Deposit) This is the amount of money you put down to show the seller you are serious about purchasing the property.  A deposit usually remains in an escrow account until closing.
• Cash, Contingent on Financing or Home Sale
  • Financing Contingency: Interest Rate, Term and Amount Financed
  • Home Sale: Closing Date
• Personal Property
  • Any detached items to be included furniture, window treatments, appliances or fixtures
• Closing Date
• Inspections/Repairs
  • Seller or Buyer’s expense and allotted time to complete
• Title insurance/Home Warranty/Closing Costs
  • Seller or Buyer’s expense
• Expiration Date of Offer

Once your written offer is ready, your real estate associate will present your offer to the seller and listing broker.  You will need to include your check for the deposit amount and pre-qualification letter.  The seller may then accept your offer as written, make a counter offer, or reject it.  If they counter your offer then you can choose to then accept the counter, counter the counter or reject it.  Once you and the seller are in agreement, you will have a signed contract and then prepare to get your inspections done and get ready for closing.