"How Will I Know?"

By Mark Phoenix posted June 12, 2020

Home buyers have asked the question “How will I know when to write an offer?” or, “How will I know how much I should offer?” or, “How will I know which home to make an offer on?”  There are a number of questions and concerns that home buyers ask their real estate professional, many of which are anticipation of the future event of making an offer after looking at available homes for sale.

The question of “How will I know when to write an offer?” and the question “How will I know which home to make an offer on?” are closely related.  If you examine the home search process, you may find some solace found in things that are not so obvious in the beginning stage of looking for a home.

Over 90% of home buyers begin their search on the Internet, according to the National Association of Realtors.  On many websites, you begin to look at features that various homes offer and look at the pictures posted.
Naturally, you compare features of one home and compare those to another.  Next, you begin to include certain homes which interest you, while you discount other homes from consideration. 

When you look at available homes for sale in person, the process of including and excluding certain homes becomes a real estate “instinct” in short order.  When you find a home that you can picture yourself living in happily; one that improves your life and the lives of those you love and care for, the question of “How will I know…” is dismissed from your mind.  The real estate “instinct” will tell you “when” to write an offer and “which” home to make an offer on.   

“How much” to offer the seller is a serious consideration.  In some circumstances, you may be counselled by your carefully chosen buyer agent [For additional information see “Identifying a Competent Real Estate Professional” from our FAQ section] to offer the seller a lower price.  While that may be a prudent strategy in the appropriate circumstance, what if the seller has several offers to choose from and accepts a higher offer from another prospective purchaser?  

Developing a well-informed strategy for negotiation must be considered carefully and discussed in detail and developed with an experienced real estate professional. 

Click the “Contact Me” button if you have specific questions or would like some guidance.

Bonus:  For additional information on how to construct a purchase offer, click the “What is a Counter-Offer?” link in our FAQ section.