🏠 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

⚖️ Legal Disclaimer

This template provides general guidance but is not legal advice.

Real estate laws vary by state. For high-value properties or complex situations, consult a real estate attorney.

Some states require additional disclosures or have specific offer requirements.

🎯 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