Now that you’ve come to a decision on which home you want to claim as yours, one of your last tasks is to make a persuasive offer that the seller can’t refuse. Still, it’s crucial that you recognize that you won’t be the only one with eyes on your dream home. If you’re competing with other prospective home-buyers, here’s what you can do to make your home offer stand out from the rest.

MAKE A STRONG INITIAL OFFER

Too many home-buyers – old and new alike – fall into the habit of making experimental offers just to see if they get a bite. This is the wrong move, one that can cost you your dream home. If you are serious about making a purchase, make your most substantial offer on the first attempt at buying. You never know what other house-hunters have proposed to the seller, and your experimental lowballing may not be given the time of day.

DEMONSTRATE TO THE SELLER THAT YOU CAN AFFORD THE PURCHASE

Nothing speaks like hard documentation. It’s one thing to make a verbal offer, and an entirely separate matter to arrive with a mortgage pre-approval in hand. Paperwork like this speaks volumes to the seller, as it is a highly respectable display of your determination to purchase their house. A pre-approval letter – not a pre-qualification document – is also a sure sign that you will be able and willing to close on the home when the time comes.

MAKE AN EARNEST PAYMENT

It’s best to pair your pre-approval letter with earnest money as well. Again, this is a sign that you are serious about your offer and that you are ready to make the purchase. Earnest payments are a type of deposit that generally fall within the range of $500-$1,000 (this can be much higher in more expensive areas). To boost your offer even further, give more earnest money than expected.

Keep these tips in mind as you gear up to buy the home of your dreams. Be prepared to close quickly to further demonstrate your eagerness to purchase, and try to have an inspection completed swiftly, so the process doesn’t drag on for too long. The seller will appreciate your fervor, and you will be moving in before you know it!