{"id":1215,"date":"2022-07-14T04:37:02","date_gmt":"2022-07-14T04:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.wahi.com\/wp\/?p=1215"},"modified":"2025-04-11T16:03:40","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T16:03:40","slug":"offer-on-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/learning-centre\/real-estate-101\/buy\/offer-on-house","title":{"rendered":"How to Make an Offer on a House"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”32px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_margin__hover_enabled=”off|desktop” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||-24px||false|false” custom_padding=”75px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Real Estate 101″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjcyMiJ9fQ==@” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Buy” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE2MzIifX0=@” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIn19@” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”title” _module_preset=”default” module_text_color=”#686E6E” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][\/wahi_breadcrumb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”3.5rem” header_line_height=”4.5rem” header_font_size_tablet=”42px” header_font_size_phone=”3rem” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_line_height_tablet=”4.5rem” header_line_height_phone=”3.2rem” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IjxoMT4iLCJhZnRlciI6IjwvaDE+In19@[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_socialsharing _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_socialsharing][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the lowdown on what it means to put in an offer on a home, what happens after making an offer, and our top tips for putting in a strong offer.<\/span><\/p>\n

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By Emily Southey<\/a> | 10 minute read<\/p>\n

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Buying a home is far from easy, especially since finding a home you love is half the battle. The other half is the offer. Making a successful offer can be difficult, especially in a hot market where there might be other buyers vying for the same property. To help make the homebuying process just a little bit easier, we\u2019ve put together this guide to making an offer on a house.\u00a0<\/p>\n

–<\/span><\/p>\n

What Does it Mean to Put in an Offer on a House?<\/h2>\n

\n

An offer is a type of contract detailing the price you\u2019re willing to pay to purchase a home, as well as any conditions that must be met in order for the detail to go through. Each offer is unique and it\u2019s up to the homebuyer to decide what to include in their offer (usually with the help of a REALTOR\u00ae or real estate<\/a> lawyer). Though buyers might have to present multiple offers to secure their dream home, keep in mind that since offers are contracts, if accepted, they are legally binding. So you must be prepared to meet the offer price according to the terms listed should the offer go through. Once both the buyer and seller have agreed to the terms of the offer, the agreement of purchase and sale (APS) is complete, and the process of closing the sale commences. Typical offers in real estate include the six elements below.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Personal information<\/strong><\/h3>\n

First, the offer must include the legal names of the buyers, the legal names of the sellers, and the address of the home you wish to purchase.\u00a0<\/p>\n

–<\/span><\/p>\n

Offer price and deposit<\/b><\/h3>\n

Next, the offer must include the offer price. This is perhaps the most important element of the contract. The offer price is how much money you\u2019re willing to pay for the home, as well as how much money you\u2019ll be putting down as a deposit.<\/p>\n

–<\/span><\/p>\n

Items to be included\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

An offer to purchase a home should also list the items included with the sale. For example, if you would like the seller to leave behind certain things, like window coverings or a chandelier, you should specify that in your offer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

–<\/span><\/p>\n

Closing date<\/b><\/h3>\n

A closing date should also be listed in the office. This is the date that you wish to take possession of the home. Closing dates are typically between 60 and 90 days from the date the offer is made.<\/p>\n

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\u201cAn offer is a type of contract detailing the price you\u2019re willing to pay to purchase a home, as well as any conditions that must be met in order for the detail to go through. Each offer is unique and it\u2019s up to the homebuyer to decide what to include in their offer.\u201d<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

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Expiration date<\/b><\/h3>\n

Another important date to include in your offer is its expiration. Offers are not available for infinite periods of time. Rather, they should have set expiration dates of between 24 and 48 hours from the time the offer is sent. (Please note that your REALTOR\u00ae may recommend an even shorter offer expiration date if the market is hot.)<\/p>\n

–<\/span><\/p>\n

Conditions<\/b><\/h3>\n

Lastly, your offer must include any\u00a0conditions<\/a><\/span>\u00a0you would like met before the sale is finalized. Examples of conditions include a satisfactory home inspection, a financing condition stipulating the buyer must be able to obtain an adequate mortgage, or a home sale condition stating that your current home needs to be sold before the deal is done. It\u2019s up to the buyer to decide what contingencies they want to include. Your REALTOR\u00ae can further advise you on the most common conditions buyers request, as well as whether including stipulations is recommended in the current market.<\/p>\n

–<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips for a Strong Offer<\/h2>\n

Now that you know what an offer to buy a home entails, we\u2019re going to let you in on some of our best-kept secrets for making a strong offer. After all, putting in an offer does not guarantee you will get the home, especially in a hot market. If you want your offer to be successful, you\u2019ll need to strategize to ensure your offer is as competitive as can be.<\/p>\n

\u00a0–<\/span><\/p>\n