Offer to Purchase Real Estate Information
Alternate Names:
An Offer to Purchase Real Estate is also known as a:
- Real Estate Offer Form
- For Sale by Owner Offer Form
- Home Purchase Offer Letter
- Real Estate Offer Letter
What is an Offer to Purchase Real Estate?
An Offer to Purchase Real Estate is a legal document used to outline a potential real estate transaction between two parties. It is typically used when someone wants to put an offer on a house or other private residence that is for sale but there are conditions that need to be met before the sale can be finalized.
What is included in an Offer to Purchase Real Estate?
An Offer to Purchase Real Estate will generally contain:
- Details about the seller and buyer (including their name, contact information, and whether or not they are a person, corporation, or organization)
- The property's legal description (such as a lot and block or metes and bounds description)
- The asking price (i.e. the price being offered for the property)
- The proposed closing date and possession date
- A deadline for accepting the prospective offer
A home purchase offer letter will often list other important details concerning the potential sale, such as if the offer is subject to any conditions (like requiring the completion of a home inspection or a disclosure statement).
What is a condition in an Offer to Purchase Real Estate?
The term condition in an Offer to Purchase Real Estate refers to a provision that must be met for the real estate sale to go through (like if a seller is required to provide a certain form to a buyer before the sale can be completed). For example, a buyer may include the following conditions in their offer:
- A property appraisal: an assessment of the value of the home, which is used to confirm the buyer isn't paying significantly more than what the property is worth
- A title search: a search of the current land title (a document proving who owns a particular piece of property), which is used to verify the property has no liens against it or any other ownership issues that could impact the sale
- A home inspection: a review of the property performed by a licensed inspector that details any damage or defects in the home and any attached buildings
- A disclosure form: a document that outlines information regarding the property, such as if recent renovations were done, if there were any past problems with pests, etc.
Other common conditions for an Offer to Purchase Real Estate can include:
- The buyer must sell their existing home before the purchase can be completed
- The buyer must receive a mortgage approval from a bank or other lending institution before the transfer of property can take place
- The seller must arrange to have specific things done to the property before the buyer takes possession (such as painting, cleaning the carpets, making repairs, etc.)
What types of offers can you make in an Offer to Purchase Real Estate?
An Offer to Purchase Real Estate can be used to make a firm or conditional offer.
A firm offer means the buyer is willing to purchase the property without any specified conditions. If the seller accepts a firm offer, the transaction can be completed without further negotiation.
A conditional offer means the buyer wishes to purchase the property with conditions, meaning before the sale can finalized, one or more prerequisites (such as requiring a home inspection) must be fulfilled.
Why should I use an Offer to Purchase Real Estate?
Using a real estate offer letter lets you, as a buyer, bid on a property without being bound to the sale until certain conditions are met.
In instances when a buyer is making a conditional offer (instead of a firm offer), using an Offer to Purchase Real Estate can help the seller to determine whether or not they are able to meet the terms and conditions of the offer, which often helps both parties save time and avoid potential issues in the future.
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