You listed your home.
Buyers toured it.
And now you have an offer sitting in front of you.
Maybe you even have several.
So how do you know which offer is actually the best offer for your home?
If you’re selling a home in Orange County or Los Angeles County, it’s easy to look at the purchase price first and assume the highest number automatically wins.
But there can be much more to an offer than price.
The buyer’s financing, proof of funds, contingencies, deposit, requested concessions, closing timeline, possession terms, lender, and other contractual details can all affect the strength of an offer and the path from acceptance to closing.
I’m Christine Almarines with CA Real Estate Group | Caliber Real Estate, and I have more than 20 years of real estate experience.
When I represent a home seller, my job isn’t simply to put several offers in front of you and ask:
“Which one do you want?”
I want you to understand what’s behind each offer before you make that decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing the Best Offer on Your Home
Is the highest offer always the best offer when selling a home?
No.
The highest purchase price isn’t automatically the strongest overall offer.
Financing, contingencies, earnest money, closing timelines, seller concessions, possession terms, and other contractual conditions can all affect an offer.
The entire offer should be evaluated rather than the purchase price alone.
What should I look for when comparing offers on my home?
Consider the full contract, including purchase price, financing, proof of funds, earnest money deposit, loan and appraisal contingencies, inspection terms, seller concessions, closing date, possession terms, and other conditions.
Your own priorities should also factor into the decision.
What happens after I receive an offer on my home?
Christine Almarines reviews the offer and relevant terms and may communicate with the buyer’s agent and lender when appropriate.
Christine then discusses the offer with the seller, including potential strengths, concerns, negotiation options, and possible responses.
The seller ultimately decides whether to accept, reject, or counter the offer.
How do you know whether a home buyer is qualified?
When appropriate, Christine can review financing information submitted with the offer, communicate with the buyer’s agent and lender, and review proof-of-funds information.
The information available and the level of verification possible can vary by transaction.
What happens if I receive multiple offers on my home?
Depending on the circumstances and seller instructions, a multiple-offer strategy may involve an offer deadline, counteroffers, clarification of terms, or opportunities for buyers to improve their proposed price or terms.
Christine discusses the options and potential pros and cons with the seller before the seller determines how to proceed.
Can a lower offer be better than a higher offer?
Potentially, yes.
A lower-priced offer may contain financing, contingencies, timing, concessions, or other terms that a seller finds more attractive than those in a higher-priced offer.
The better offer depends on the entire contract and the seller’s individual priorities.
Who decides which offer I accept?
The homeowner does.
Christine Almarines provides information, helps explain the terms, identifies potential strengths or concerns, and discusses negotiation strategies.
The seller makes the final decision.
How long does it take to close after accepting an offer?
Closing time varies.
A financed transaction may sometimes be structured around approximately 30 days, while some cash transactions can potentially close more quickly.
The actual timeline depends on the contract, financing, property, parties, escrow requirements, and other circumstances.
Does Christine Almarines offer seller consultations?
Yes.
Homeowners considering selling in Orange County, Los Angeles County, Buena Park, Cerritos, and surrounding Southern California communities can contact Christine for a seller consultation and strategy session.
Does Christine Almarines have a home seller course?
Yes.
Christine offers an online home seller course for homeowners who want to begin learning about the selling process before scheduling a consultation.
Visit:
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a Home in Southern California
How much down payment do I need to buy a home in California?
There isn’t one down payment amount that applies to every buyer.
Depending on the financing program and your qualifications, certain programs may require approximately 3% to 3.5% down. Other eligible borrowers may qualify for programs with different down payment requirements, including certain programs requiring no down payment.
A qualified lender should determine which current financing options may be available to you.
How much are closing costs when buying a home?
As a general planning estimate, closing costs may be approximately 2.5% to 3.5% of the purchase price.
Actual costs vary by transaction, financing, lender, property, prepaid expenses, taxes, insurance, escrow and title charges, and other factors.
Consult a qualified lender for a more specific estimate based on your circumstances.
Is the down payment the same as closing costs?
No.
Your down payment and closing costs are separate parts of the funds you may need to complete a home purchase.
A lender can help you estimate your down payment, closing costs, and anticipated cash needed based on the loan and transaction.
Can I buy a house in California without putting 20% down?
Potentially, yes.
A 20% down payment isn’t required for every mortgage. Some financing programs allow qualified buyers to purchase with a smaller down payment.
A qualified lender can explain current programs and eligibility requirements.
Can you buy a home in Southern California with no down payment?
Certain eligible borrowers may qualify for financing programs requiring no down payment.
Requirements vary, and eligibility needs to be confirmed by a qualified lender.
Does Christine Almarines offer a home buyer consultation?
Yes.
Christine Almarines offers a no-obligation home buyer consultation, education and strategy session for buyers who want to better understand the Southern California home-buying process.
The session can cover the stages of buying a home, current strategies, pros and cons of different approaches, inspections, appraisals, contingencies, potential risks, and ways buyers can prepare for their purchase.
Do I have to hire Christine after the buyer consultation?
No.
The initial buyer consultation, education and strategy session is offered with absolutely no obligation.
The purpose is to give prospective buyers an opportunity to learn about the process, ask questions, and better understand their options.
Does Christine Almarines have an online home buyer course?
Yes.
Christine Almarines offers an online home buyer course for people who want to begin learning about buying a home at their own pace.
Visit:
buyergoca.carealestategroup.com/ca1
Where can I search for homes in Orange County and Los Angeles County?
You can begin your home search at:
Search available homes and begin exploring real estate in Buena Park, Cerritos, Orange County, Los Angeles County, and surrounding Southern California communities.
Who is a real estate agent for home buyers in Buena Park and Cerritos?
Christine Almarines, DRE #01412944, with CA Real Estate Group | Caliber Real Estate, helps home buyers in Buena Park, Cerritos, Orange County, Los Angeles County, and surrounding Southern California communities.
How do I contact Christine Almarines?
You can contact Christine directly:
Christine Almarines
Real Estate Agent | CA Real Estate Group | Caliber Real Estate
📱 714-476-4637
📧 christine@carealestategroup.com
DRE #01412944
Ready to Talk About Selling Your Home?
If you’re thinking about selling, don’t wait until offers arrive to start thinking about negotiation.
Your strategy begins before your home ever reaches the market.
Let’s talk about your home, your goals, your timeline, and the selling strategy that makes sense for you.
We’ll discuss how your home may be positioned, what happens when offers arrive, how multiple-offer situations may be approached, and how I’ll help you understand the price, terms, financing, and potential risks before you make a decision.
Schedule Your Seller Consultation
Christine Almarines
Real Estate Agent | CA Real Estate Group | Caliber Real Estate
📱 714-476-4637
📧 christine@carealestategroup.com
DRE #01412944
Take the Online Home Seller Course
Contact Christine Almarines
Christine Almarines
Real Estate Agent
CA Real Estate Group | Caliber Real Estate
Phone: 714-476-4637
Email: christine@carealestategroup.
California DRE #: 01412944
Serving home buyers and sellers in Buena Park, Cerritos, Orange County, Los Angeles County, and surrounding Southern California communities.
No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.
Real estate transactions, negotiations, financing, offer terms, market conditions, and closing timelines vary. Examples and general timelines in this article are educational and are not guarantees of price, terms, closing, or other outcomes. Sellers should evaluate their individual circumstances and obtain appropriate professional advice.