You’ve found a home? Congratulations! Now, if you actually want to make it yours, you have to make a successful offer that the seller will accept.

Preparing the offer
REALTORS^® can prepare the offer for you. Here are some terms you’ll see in the offer.

• Buyer or Purchaser: That’s you.
  
  
• Seller or Vendor: The present owners.
  
  
• Purchase Price:
  The most important number. Let’s hope the seller goes for it!
  
  
• Deposit: A cheque you write to the seller’s broker, who deposits in a trust account. This is your way saying ‘my offer is serious’. The size of the deposit is up to you.

• Chattels included and fixtures excluded: Be sure you know what is included with the house! The washer and dryer, the microwave, draperies, light fixtures. Don’t leave anything to ‘chance’.
  
  
• Irrevocability of the offer: The length of time you give the seller to consider your offer. Usually less than 48 hours.
  
  
• Completion date: The glorious day you take possession! Often 30 or 60 days after signing.
  

• Clauses particular to this agreement: Every transaction is unique, and you may want to add conditions that are important to you, such as a proper Home Inspection.
  

• Your REALTOR^® can help ensure no details are overlooked in your offer.

Submitting the offer
You’ve signed on the dotted line and your REALTOR^® has provided your offer to the seller’s REALTOR^®. This process works best when you don’t meet the seller in person.

• The seller can accept your offer
  Fantastic, when do you move in?
  
  
• The seller can reject your offer
  It’s not common for an offer to be completely rejected. If it was, your REALTOR^® can investigate why and see if there was some misunderstanding.
  
  
• The seller can ‘sign back’ or counter your offer
  The seller wants to alter some part of your offer – most likely the price. The seller will cross out the price on your offer and write a higher number. Now it’s your turn to sign back, and see if you can bring that number down. Good luck!