How to Choose the Right Offer When Selling Your Home

Getting multiple offers on your home is exciting—but how do you know which one to choose? It’s not always about the highest price. From financing terms to timelines and contingencies, there are several key details that can make one offer stand out over another.

If you’re selling your home, here’s how to choose the right offer when selling your home like a pro and pick the one that best fits your needs.

Overview: What to Look for Beyond Price

Key Points:

Offer Price vs. Net Proceeds
Financing Type and Buyer Qualifications
Contingencies That Could Affect the Sale
Closing Timelines and Flexibility
Strength of the Buyer’s Terms

1. Offer Price vs. Net Proceeds

The offer price is important—but it’s not the whole story. What really matters is your net proceeds after closing costs, credits, and concessions.

For example, an offer at $10,000 over asking might look great, but if it comes with a request for seller-paid closing costs or repairs, your bottom line might actually be lower than a cleaner offer at the full list price.

Tip: Ask your agent to help you calculate the net amount for each offer so you can compare apples to apples.

2. Financing Type and Buyer Qualifications

The type of financing matters. A cash offer typically means fewer delays and a faster closing. Buyers using conventional loans are often considered stronger than those using FHA or VA loans because of fewer property condition requirements.

You’ll also want to consider:

Has the buyer submitted a pre-approval letter or proof of funds?
Are they offering a strong earnest money deposit?
How reliable is their lender or financing timeline?

Tip: An offer with solid financing and verified funds is often worth more than a higher offer that’s uncertain.

3. Contingencies That Could Affect the Sale

Contingencies give buyers a way out—and too many of them can weaken an offer. Common contingencies include:

Inspection contingency
Appraisal contingency
Financing contingency
Home sale contingency

While some contingencies are standard, an offer with fewer or waived contingencies may lead to a smoother and more certain sale.

Tip: Look closely at timelines for each contingency. Shorter deadlines can reduce risk and keep the sale moving.

4. Closing Timelines and Flexibility

Timeframes can make or break a deal. Some sellers need to close fast, while others need extra time to move. If a buyer can match your ideal closing date—or is flexible with it—that can be a major advantage.

Tip: Don’t overlook a slightly lower offer that comes with a perfect closing date or leaseback option if you need time to move.

5. Strength of the Buyer’s Terms

The “cleanliness” of an offer refers to how few complications it brings. Look for offers that:

Are straightforward and not asking for extra items or concessions
Offer strong deposits and short inspection periods
Have clear, direct communication through the buyer’s agent

Tip: The buyer’s agent can also impact the process—experienced agents often mean smoother transactions.

Conclusion

Choosing the right offer is about more than just the price tag. By looking at net proceeds, financing strength, contingencies, and closing flexibility, you can choose the offer that gets you to the finish line with less stress and more money in your pocket.

Working with an experienced agent—especially one who helps you save money with a 1% listing fee—means you’ll get smart guidance when it matters most.

How to Choose the Right Offer When Selling Your Home