: Categorize features. For example, the number of bedrooms might be a "need," while a gourmet kitchen is a "nice-to-have".
: Review your credit score and debt-to-income ratio (DTI); lenders typically prefer a total DTI below 40%.
: Work with your agent to craft an offer based on comparable sales. Consider adding an escalation clause in hot markets to automatically outbid others up to a limit.
: Check the age of the roof (replacement can cost $8,000–$15,000) and the HVAC system (typically lasts 15–20 years). 5. Making an Offer and Closing