How to Make an Offer on a House

First hint - it's more than just signing some documents....

How, you might ask, do we go about getting from the point of wanting to make an offer --- to actually making the offer?  Here's a brief overview....

1. Obtain a pre-approval letter from a lender.
    
2. View the property.
    
   
3. Ask follow up questions of seller.  (utility costs, age of house components, reasons for selling, motivation level, timing logistics)
    
   
4. Research comparable sales to determine market value.
    
5. Research restrictive covenants, deed restrictions, septic system details, survey, etc.
    
6. Discuss negotiation strategies.
    
7. Determine main terms of offer.  (price, timing, contingencies)
    
8. Draft and review offer documents.
    
9. Sign (in person or electronically) offer documents.
    
10. Submit offer documents to the seller and (patiently?) wait.
    

Let me know if you have questions about this process -- and know, of course, that the process looks slightly different for each buyer and for each property.  This is a general guide, but not a required list and sequence.