Prepare & Negotiate Your Offer

Buyer Resources/Offer Stage

Prepare & Negotiate Your Offer

An offer you’re comfortable with.

Every seller has different motivations. Before we write, I gather what we can learn about the home and the seller. Then we put an offer on the table you’re comfortable with and see what they’re willing to do on price and terms.

What We’ll Review First

Occupied or vacantWho lives there can shape timing and access.

Days on marketPlus any price changes since it was listed.

Condition & upgradesWhat’s been updated, and what still needs work.

Seller’s timelineWhen they need to close, and where they’re going next.

Competing offersWhether we’re likely to be one of several offers.

Recent salesComparable sales that support your price.

Building Your Offer

Price & TimingThe numbers and dates

• Offer price and earnest money (often 1–3% of price)
• Down payment and loan type
• Seller-paid closing costs or credits
• Appraisal fee and buyer-broker compensation requests
• Close of escrow date and inspection period (10 days is standard)
• Time for the seller to respond, and possession or a seller rent-back

Items & ProtectionsWhat conveys, and what protects you

• Refrigerator, washer, dryer and other personal property
• Home warranty, and HOA transfer and capital fees
• Loan, appraisal and inspection contingencies
• Seller disclosures (SPDS, claims history)
• Your obligations and deadlines
• Cancellation rights and release of earnest money

The Seller’s Three Choices

01AcceptThe seller signs your offer as written, and you’re under contract.

02RejectThe seller declines. We regroup and decide whether to try again.

03CounterThe seller proposes changes, and we accept, counter back or walk away.

Sellers with multiple offers may send counters to more than one buyer at once. I’ll explain the options and timing if that happens.

How I Help

Experience that protects you

The right wording and contingencies keep you protected from offer to closing.

Data-backed pricing

Your offer is built on recent comparable sales, not guesswork.

Strategic negotiation

I’ll help you balance price, credits and terms to win the home on the right terms.

Sample Forms

Blank Arizona REALTORS® samples for reference. We’ll complete the current version together.

Residential Resale Purchase ContractUpdated Feb 2026 · 11 pagesThe standard Arizona purchase contract.View sample (PDF) →

Seller Compensation AddendumUpdated Feb 2025 · 1 pageAsking the seller to pay buyer-broker compensation.View sample (PDF) →

Unfamiliar term? Browse the Real Estate Glossary →

General information only, not legal advice. Your signed Arizona REALTORS® purchase contract governs your rights and obligations.