The Contract

The offer to buy a home needs to be in writing and will address many items, including:

There is not one negotiation strategy that is used each and every time an offer is presented so consult with your REALTOR® beforehand.

Some additional tips:

Prepare a home buyer profile to submit to the home seller.
Provide a pre-approval letter of home financing from a reputable lender.
Make a reasonable offer based on research of the market and home values completed in advance. "Low-ball" offers will often offend the seller and will ultimately compromise your ability to negotiate.
Large amount of earnest money with your offer to purchase. Larger amounts demonstrate a strong commitment.
Eliminate unnecessary contingencies. Focus on what matters most.
Be prepared to make decisions quickly. The fear of making a wrong decision can deny you the opportunity to make the right one.