🏠 Real Estate Purchase Offer Letter Guide & Template
Professional offer that gets sellers’ attention and protects your interests
Free template • Winning strategies • Legal protections • Market tactics
🎯 Essential Offer Components
Every winning offer MUST include these critical elements
Buyer Information
- Full legal names of all buyers
- Current address & contact info
- How title will be held
- Pre-approval letter attached
- Proof of funds for down payment
- Agent contact information
🚩 Seller Red Flag
Offers without pre-approval or proof of funds often get rejected immediately
Property Details
Must match exactly:
- Full property address
- Legal description (from MLS)
- MLS or listing number
- Square footage (if listed)
- Lot size
- Year built
Include if applicable:
Reference specific features mentioned in listing: “the property with granite countertops and hardwood floors as described in MLS #1234567”
Purchase Price & Terms
Price strategy:
- Offer amount in numbers AND words
- How determined (comps, appraisal, etc.)
- Escalation clause (if applicable)
- Appraisal contingency terms
- Personal property included
- Items specifically excluded
🚩 Pricing Mistakes
• Lowball offers in hot markets
• No escalation in bidding wars
• Unclear what’s included
Financing Details
- Type of financing (conventional, FHA, VA, cash)
- Down payment amount & percentage
- Loan contingency deadline
- Interest rate protection
- Lender name and contact
- Pre-approval expiration date
Cash offers:
Include proof of funds letter from bank dated within 30 days. Consider shorter closing period as advantage.
Timeline & Deadlines
Critical dates:
- Offer expiration date/time
- Acceptance deadline
- Inspection contingency period
- Appraisal contingency deadline
- Loan approval deadline
- Closing date
Pro tip:
Shorter contingency periods make offers more attractive. Standard: 10 days inspection, 21 days loan approval.
Contingencies & Protections
Standard contingencies:
- Professional inspection
- Satisfactory appraisal
- Loan approval
- Title review
- HOA document review
- Final walk-through
Optional contingencies:
• Sale of current home
• Attorney review period
• Homeowner’s insurance approval
Earnest Money & Deposits
- Earnest money amount (1-3% typical)
- How money will be held (escrow agent)
- When deposit is due
- Conditions for return
- Additional deposit at acceptance
- Who pays escrow fees
Higher earnest money = stronger offer:
In competitive markets, 2-3% earnest money shows serious commitment
Property Condition & Inclusions
What’s included:
- All attached fixtures
- Appliances staying (list specifically)
- Window treatments
- Outdoor items (shed, hot tub, etc.)
- Any personal property
Seller warranties:
Property delivered in present condition with all systems operational
📊 Market-Specific Strategies
Tailor your offer based on current market conditions:
Seller’s Market (Hot)
• Offer above asking price
• Waive inspection contingency
• Shorter contingency periods
• Larger earnest money
• Flexible closing date
• Personal letter to seller
Buyer’s Market (Cold)
• Offer below asking price
• Request seller concessions
• Longer contingency periods
• Ask for repairs/credits
• Standard earnest money
• Include all protections
Balanced Market
• Offer at or near asking
• Standard contingencies
• Reasonable timeline
• Small concession requests
• Follow comparable sales
• Focus on terms over price
Multiple Offer Situation
• Escalation clause essential
• Consider appraisal gap coverage
• Waive unnecessary contingencies
• Offer proof of funds
• Quick response time
• Flexible terms for seller
REAL ESTATE PURCHASE OFFER
Fill in the highlighted blanks with your specific information
This offer is printer-friendly – use Print button below after filling out
1. OFFER TO PURCHASE
The undersigned Buyer(s) hereby offer to purchase the real property located at:
PROPERTY ADDRESS:
[FULL PROPERTY ADDRESS]
MLS #: [MLS NUMBER]
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
[LEGAL DESCRIPTION FROM MLS]
2. BUYER INFORMATION
BUYER(S):
Name(s): [BUYER FULL LEGAL NAME(S)]
Address: [BUYER CURRENT ADDRESS]
Phone: [BUYER PHONE]
Email: [BUYER EMAIL]
BUYER’S AGENT:
Agent Name: [AGENT NAME]
Brokerage: [BROKERAGE NAME]
License #: [AGENT LICENSE]
Phone: [AGENT PHONE]
3. PURCHASE PRICE & TERMS
TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE: $[PURCHASE PRICE]
([PRICE IN WORDS] Dollars)
EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT: $[EARNEST MONEY AMOUNT]
To be deposited with: [ESCROW COMPANY/ATTORNEY]
Within [# DAYS] days of acceptance
ADDITIONAL DEPOSIT: $[ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OR N/A]
Due: [WHEN DUE OR N/A]
4. FINANCING
FINANCING TYPE: [CONVENTIONAL/FHA/VA/CASH]
DOWN PAYMENT: $[DOWN PAYMENT AMOUNT] ([PERCENTAGE]%)
LOAN AMOUNT: $[LOAN AMOUNT]
LENDER: [LENDER NAME]
Loan Officer: [LOAN OFFICER NAME]
Phone: [LENDER PHONE]
Pre-approval letter attached: ☐ Yes ☐ No
Proof of funds attached: ☐ Yes ☐ No
5. TIMELINE & DEADLINES
OFFER EXPIRES: [DATE] at [TIME]
INSPECTION CONTINGENCY: [# DAYS] days from acceptance
APPRAISAL CONTINGENCY: [# DAYS] days from acceptance
LOAN APPROVAL CONTINGENCY: [# DAYS] days from acceptance
PROPOSED CLOSING DATE: [CLOSING DATE]
POSSESSION: [AT CLOSING/OTHER]
6. PROPERTY INCLUSIONS
INCLUDED IN SALE:
All attached fixtures, built-in appliances, and the following items currently on the property:
[LIST SPECIFIC ITEMS: refrigerator, washer, dryer, window treatments, etc.]
SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED:
[LIST ITEMS NOT INCLUDED]
7. CONTINGENCIES
This offer is contingent upon:
- ☐ Professional home inspection satisfactory to Buyer
- ☐ Property appraisal at or above purchase price
- ☐ Buyer obtaining financing as specified above
- ☐ Satisfactory review of HOA documents (if applicable)
- ☐ Attorney review period of [# DAYS] days
- ☐ Sale of Buyer’s current property by [DATE]
- ☐ Other: [SPECIFY]
8. SELLER CONCESSIONS & CREDITS
REQUESTED SELLER CONTRIBUTIONS:
Seller to pay up to $[AMOUNT OR 0] toward Buyer’s closing costs and prepaid expenses.
REPAIR CREDITS:
[SPECIFY REPAIR REQUESTS OR WRITE ‘NONE’]
9. SPECIAL TERMS & CONDITIONS
ESCALATION CLAUSE (if applicable):
Buyer agrees to increase offer price to $[MAX AMOUNT] above any competing offer up to a maximum of $[CEILING PRICE], provided Buyer receives copy of competing offer.
APPRAISAL GAP COVERAGE:
If property appraises below purchase price, Buyer will pay up to $[AMOUNT OR N/A] above appraised value.
ADDITIONAL TERMS:
[ANY ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS, TIMELINE FLEXIBILITY, PERSONAL NOTES TO SELLER]
10. DEFAULT & REMEDIES
If Buyer defaults, Seller may retain earnest money as liquidated damages. If Seller defaults, Buyer may pursue specific performance or monetary damages.
11. DISCLOSURES & REPRESENTATIONS
Buyer acknowledges receipt of all required state and local property disclosures. Seller represents that property is in present condition with all systems operational.
12. CLOSING DETAILS
TITLE COMPANY/ATTORNEY: [NAME & CONTACT INFO]
CLOSING COSTS:
• Title insurance: [BUYER/SELLER/SPLIT]
• Transfer taxes: [BUYER/SELLER/SPLIT]
• Recording fees: [BUYER/SELLER]
13. FINAL WALK-THROUGH
Buyer reserves the right to conduct a final walk-through inspection within [24-48] hours prior to closing to verify property condition and that all agreed-upon repairs have been completed.
14. ACCEPTANCE
This offer, when accepted by Seller and communicated to Buyer, shall constitute a binding agreement. Time is of the essence for all dates in this contract.
BUYER(S) SIGNATURE(S):
Signature: Date: [DATE]
Print Name: [BUYER NAME]
Signature: Date: [DATE]
Print Name: [BUYER 2 NAME]
SELLER ACCEPTANCE:
☐ We accept the above offer as written
☐ We accept with the following counter-offer terms: ________________
Signature: Date: [DATE]
Print Name: [SELLER NAME]
Signature: Date: [DATE]
Print Name: [SELLER 2 NAME]
Ready to submit your offer? Make sure all yellow fields are completed with accurate information.
Remember: Attach pre-approval letter and proof of funds before submitting
🏆 Winning Offer Strategies
1. Research Before You Offer
Check recent comps, days on market, price reductions. Knowledge = negotiating power.
2. Write a Personal Letter
Share why you love the home. Emotional connection can trump higher offers.
3. Be Flexible on Closing
Ask seller’s preferred timeline. Convenience often beats extra money.
4. Limit Contingencies Strategically
Only waive what you can afford to lose. Never skip inspection on older homes.
5. Present Clean Offer
Complete pre-approval, proof of funds, agent pre-approval on terms.
6. Escalation Clause Wisdom
Set realistic ceiling. Include proof requirement for competing offers.
🎯 Ready to Make Your Move?
Use our comprehensive tools to research properties and make winning offers
Remember: In real estate, the best offer isn’t always the highest price. Terms, timeline, and certainty matter just as much.
Last Updated: September 2025 | Sources: National Association of Realtors, State Real Estate Commissions, Real Estate Legal Experts