How to Write a Counter Offer to the Purchase Offer

A counter offer modifies the purchaser's terms.

Everyone who is selling a home longs for the day when they will receive an offer to purchase it. If the terms that the purchaser is offering are not acceptable, the seller of the home can make a counter offer. This counter offer is basically an amendment to the original purchase offer and is sent back to the purchaser. If the purchaser agrees to the terms in the counter offer, they sign it and it becomes the official contract for the home purchase.

Instructions

1. Read the purchaser's offer letter carefully and identify any items or terms that you do not agree to. Pay special attention to the information typed, or written into the bottom of the letter just above the signature.

2. Draw a line through any wording on the original offer letter that you do not agree to. By drawing a line through it you are indicating that you do not accept it.

3. Place your initials next to each item you draw a line through to indicate that you made the change. This prevents unauthorized changes by the real estate agents or the purchaser.

4. Write or type your changes to the contract in the area just above the signature line. Address each of the items that you marked through and either reject the item outright or write any changes you would like.

5. Sign the counter offer and send it back to the purchaser. You usually send the counter offer via a fax or email to the real estate agent.

6. Wait for the purchaser to either accept your counter offer or present a counter counter-offer back to you.

Tips & Warnings

• Counter offers almost always have a time period attached to them which can range between 24 and 72 hours. If you do not accept the offer or provide a counter offer before this time elapses, the original purchase offer is void.

References

• Audrie: Offers to buy your house: the offer to purchase agreement
• Choice of Homes: How to Analyze an Offer and then Counter-Offer