You will need
to make up a contract if you are interested in negotiating on a certain
home. Try not to be too attached to the purchase of this home, and have
some fall back alternative. This will give you a stronger bargaining position.
If the property
market is 'hot', don't spend too long before you make an offer. If you are
half serious about a particular home, make a low offer. You may need assistance
in making this legal offer: it should contain your price, the address, closing
date, terms and sometimes state specific requirements.
It is critical to
include a satisfactory pest and structural report in the contract terms.
This gives you an 'out' when you inspect closely..
And you should
inspect with fastidious attention to detail once your offer is in. Get an
accredited insured structural and pest inspector. Ask to have gas and electricity
still connected so that you can try everything out. Don't hesitate to withdraw
if things don't look good, or ask for things to be fixed, or the price reduced.