Step 8 – Put in a comfortable offer

You want to make sure the home meets your basic requirements before putting in an offer.

Don’t just put in an offer because you’re emotionally drained and desperate to finish the process. Expect to miss out on a few homes before you find the one. While you may find your dream home within weeks, it also could take up to six months or more — prepare for a lengthy and exhausting process.

If you’ve found the right one, make your bid quickly. There may not be much room to negotiate or drive the price down, as you’ll likely be facing competing offers.