To submit an offer on a FSBO home, you can write up a generic sales contract, go through an attorney, or hire a real estate agent. Generic sales contracts may not contain specific language for your state, and may not have enough protections for you (or the seller).
If you are interested in a home that is listed as a contingent short sale, you can still view the home and make an offer. However, your offer will usually be put in a "back up" position and will only be considered by the bank if the first buyers decide to terminate their contract.
10 steps to buying your own home Know what you can afford. Build up your home deposit and savings. Check and improve your credit score. Know what type of property you're looking for. Get a Decision in Principle. Find the right home and make an offer. Apply for a mortgage. Kick off the legal work.
While you can buy without an experienced agent, you may decide that you prefer to have someone assist you as you navigate the complexities of finding a property, making an offer and preparing to close. This is especially true if it's your first time buying a home.
Just call the listing agent and tell her you want to put in an offer and you don't have a buyers agent. She will represent you and can likely give you very valuable feedback about what a ``competitive'' offer would be.
Yes you can. In fact your realtor would like appreciate your proactive approach. If you see a house you like, then you can ask your realtor to write up an offer on it.