There’s a moment in almost every home search when a buyer walks out of a showing and says:
“I think this might be the one.”
That excitement is part of what makes buying a home such a big experience. But before you jump into writing an offer, it’s worth taking a little time to look at the property from a more strategic point of view.
When I work with buyers, this is often where my role becomes most important. A home can feel right emotionally, but there are still questions we need to ask before deciding what to offer, what conditions to include, and how aggressively to proceed.
If you’ve found a home you love, here are eight questions to ask before making an offer on a house.
1. How Does the Asking Price Compare to Recent Sales?
The list price is only one number.
Before writing an offer, I look at recent comparable sales in the neighbourhood to understand what similar homes have actually sold for.
That means considering factors such as:
- Size and layout
- Property condition
- Renovations and upgrades
- Lot size
- Location within the neighbourhood
- Garage and parking
- Finished basement space
This helps us determine whether the asking price is realistic, ambitious, or potentially positioned to attract multiple offers.
2. How Long Has the Home Been on the Market?
Days on market can provide useful context.
A property that has just been listed may have significant buyer interest, while one that has been sitting for several weeks may offer more room for negotiation.
That said, time on market never tells the whole story.
A home may have been overpriced initially, relisted, conditionally sold before returning to market, or simply waiting for the right buyer.
The important thing is understanding the history behind the number.
3. Is There Other Buyer Interest?
Before deciding on an offer strategy, it helps to know whether other buyers are circling the property.
Has the seller received other offers?
Are there additional showings scheduled?
Has the listing agent indicated that interest has been strong?
You may not always have complete information, but understanding the competitive environment can help determine whether your offer should be conservative, aggressive, or somewhere in between.
4. What Is Included in the Sale?
This sounds simple, but buyers are often surprised by what is, or isn’t, included.
Before writing an offer, clarify items such as:
- Appliances
- Window coverings
- Garage shelving
- TV mounts
- Outdoor structures
- Hot tubs
- Security systems
- Freezers or secondary refrigerators
If something matters to you, make sure it is clearly addressed in the offer rather than assumed.
5. What Possession Date Works for Both Sides?
Possession timing can sometimes be almost as important as price.
The seller may need a specific date because they are buying another property, relocating, or coordinating their own move.
A buyer who can accommodate that timing may strengthen their offer without necessarily increasing the purchase price.
This is one of the reasons I always encourage buyers to think about what terms they can be flexible on before negotiations begin.
6. What Conditions Should You Include?
Conditions are there to protect you.
Common conditions may relate to:
- Financing
- Home inspection
- Condominium document review
- Sale of the buyer’s existing property
The right conditions depend on the property and your circumstances.
In a competitive situation, buyers can sometimes feel pressure to remove protections in order to make an offer more attractive. That decision should never be made casually.
A strong offer is not simply the one with the fewest conditions. It is the one that balances competitiveness with an appropriate level of protection.
7. Is There Anything About the Property History We Should Understand?
Before writing an offer, it can be useful to ask questions about the property itself.
Depending on the situation, this might include:
- Major renovations
- Previous water damage
- Insurance claims
- Permits
- Structural changes
- Major mechanical replacements
- Previous sale history
Not every question will have a detailed answer, but asking can help identify areas that deserve closer attention before moving forward.
8. Does This Home Still Make Sense Once the Excitement Wears Off?
This may be the most important question of all.
It is easy to fall in love with a beautiful kitchen, an amazing backyard, or a perfectly staged living room.
But before you write an offer, take a step back and ask:
- Does the location work for my daily life?
- Is there enough storage?
- Will the layout still work in five years?
- Are there upcoming costs I need to prepare for?
- Does the price fit comfortably within my budget?
- Am I choosing this home because it fits my needs or because I’m afraid of missing out?
There is nothing wrong with being excited about a home.
The goal is simply to make sure your head has had a chance to catch up with your heart.
Why Having an Experienced REALTOR® Matters Before You Offer
Writing an offer is about much more than choosing a price.
It involves understanding the property, evaluating the market, anticipating how the seller may respond, and structuring terms that protect your interests while keeping the offer competitive.
After years of working with buyers in Edmonton, I’ve learned that knowing which questions to ask before making an offer on a house can prevent a lot of regret afterward.
Sometimes the best advice is to move quickly.
Sometimes it is to negotiate.
And sometimes it is to walk away.
The important thing is having enough information to make that decision confidently.
Top Advice from Wally
Finding a home you love is exciting. Writing the offer is where strategy begins.
Before you commit, take the time to understand what you are buying, how the property compares to the market, and what terms matter most to you. It is important to understand which questions to ask before making an offer on a house.
If you are searching for a home in Edmonton and think you may have found the right one, I would be happy to help you evaluate the property and build an offer strategy that makes sense for your goals.
The best offer is not always the highest one. It is the one that gives you the best chance of getting the right home on terms you can feel good about.