Accepting an Offer

The Price Is Not Always Right

The highest price is not always the determining factor when accepting an offer. The initial offer is usually not final, and there are a number of terms and conditions that may influence the final outcome of a price. You can trust our professionals to help you navigate proposals to accept the best offer - from the best buyer!.

Negotiating To Win

We take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating contracts. We put our clients first when evaluating each offer to help you make the right choice while keeping the buyer engaged.

The Initial Agreement and Deposit

Once you and the buyer come to an agreement, both parties will sign the Offer to Purchase / Purchase Agreement and the buyer will submit the required deposits. In North Carolina, this commonly includes both a Due Diligence Fee and an Earnest Money Deposit. In South Carolina, Earnest Money is commonly used, while contract structures may vary depending on the agreement terms.

The Due Diligence Fee in North Carolina is typically paid directly to the seller and is generally non-refundable, while the Earnest Money Deposit is usually held in escrow by the closing attorney or escrow agent until closing. These deposits demonstrate the buyer’s commitment to the transaction and are governed by the terms outlined in the contract.

The closing attorney or escrow agent acts as a neutral third party responsible for holding and distributing funds related to the transaction through closing.

Some important tips to keep in mind to streamline the process even further:

• Keep written records of everything. Counter-offers, verbal agreements, and addendums should all be recorded. Make sure both parties sign these written documents. We will help draft all written records and provide copies for both parties to keep.
• Stay on schedule. You and the buyer will be given a timeline to complete all contingencies laid out in the Purchase Agreement. Meeting the requirements on time ensures a smooth, more productive negotiation period. Staying on schedule will not only make the process less stressful, but it will guarantee neither party is in breach of their contract agreements. We will keep you updated throughout the process and prepare you for each step.