Read the offer before you sign it.

The dollar amount you're offering.

Nothing by itself - it's just the headline number. Sellers read the whole offer, not just the number at the top.

Not applicable directly, but remember: two offers at the same price are not equal. Contingencies, close date, and financing strength matter just as much as the number.

A deposit, commonly 1% - 3% of the price, placed in a neutral account when you submit your offer.

Proves you're serious. It rolls into your down payment or closing costs if the deal closes, and it's returned to you if the deal falls through for a reason your contract protects.

Offering very little can make your offer look weak in a competitive market. A larger deposit is real money at risk if you miss a deadline or simply change your mind with no contractual protection left standing.

Gives you a window, often 7 - 10 days, to have the home professionally inspected and walk away, or renegotiate, if something serious turns up.

Your right to actually know the home's condition before you're financially locked in.

Buyers who waived it have reported repair bills from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands in the first year, for things a walkthrough alone would never catch.

Protects you if your loan falls through for reasons outside your control, like a last-minute lender denial.

Your earnest money deposit, if financing genuinely collapses.

You could lose your entire earnest money deposit with no legal path to get it back if your loan hits an unexpected snag.

Protects you if the bank's appraiser values the home below your agreed price.

Your right to renegotiate or walk away, and recover your earnest money, instead of covering the gap yourself.

You'd be on the hook to make up the appraisal gap in cash, or you'd lose your deposit walking away.

The date ownership legally transfers and you get the keys.

Sets real expectations for movers, your current lease, and any mortgage rate lock.

An unrealistic close date your lender or title company can't actually hit can itself put your earnest money or your rate lock at risk.

Money the seller agrees to contribute toward your closing costs.

Can offset repair costs or reduce the cash you need at closing.

It isn't free money - a credit is often simply built into a higher agreed price to begin with. Compare offers with and without credits carefully.

Automatically raises your offer by a set increment above competing offers, up to a cap you choose.

Lets you compete without having to guess the exact winning number.

It reveals your true ceiling to the seller, and can push your price above what the home will actually appraise for. Always ask for proof of the competing offer, in writing.