Getting Your Offer Accepted: Strategies for California Home Buyers

Real estate markets across California can be highly competitive for buyers, especially when inventory levels fall short of demand. As a result, buyers have to do everything they can to get their offers accepted.

This guide offers some proven tips, suggestions, and strategies for getting your purchase offer accepted in a competitive California real estate market.

• You can use recent and comparable sales data to make a strong offer on a house.
• Limiting your use of contingencies could also increase your chance for success.
• In a competitive market, buyers should avoid haggling over unimportant details.
• A mortgage pre-approval could make the seller more inclined to accept your offer.

Getting Your Purchase Offer Accepted in California

The offer is one of the most important steps in the home buying process. It can determine whether the transaction moves forward or hits a dead end.

Because of this, home buyers need to make the strongest offer they can — the first time around.

Here are four things you can do to make the seller more inclined to accept your offer:

1. Make a strong offer based on recent sales data.

Home buyers planning to buy a house in the near future can benefit from doing some in-depth market research.

Among other things, you’ll want to review recent sales activity in the area where you want to buy. This will help you make a strong offer, and it could increase the chance that your offer will be accepted.

This is what real estate agents and other industry professionals refer to as comparable sales, or “comps.”

A comp is basically a home that sold recently in the same area where you want to buy. It’s similar in size and style to the house you want to purchase.

Making a strong offer backed up by recent sales data could also increase the chance that your offer gets accepted, even in the most competitive California real estate markets.

2. Be selective with contract contingencies.

Home buyers in California often include contingencies when they write up their purchase offers. A contract contingency is a condition that must be met before the transaction can be finalized.

Financing contingencies are a common example. This gives the buyer a way to back out of the deal (without losing the earnest money deposit) if they have trouble securing their financing.

Home inspection contingencies are also common in California. They state that the sale is dependent upon a successful inspection and the buyer’s acceptance of any property issues.

But in a competitive real estate market like California, home buyers should use caution when making a contingent offer. This kind of strategy could work against you, especially if you’re competing against other buyers.

If you make an offer with too many “strings attached,” the seller might be less inclined to accept it. So when in doubt, ask your real estate agent for advice.

3. Avoid haggling over “nickels and dimes.”

In a tight real estate market with limited supply, sellers have most of the negotiating leverage. That’s just a reality of the housing market.

In a market that favors the seller, home buyers often have to be more flexible when it comes to negotiations. Haggling with the seller over the sale price or other terms could cause the home to slip through your fingers.

Home buyers in California have a better chance of getting their offers accepted if they focus on the big picture — which is completing the transaction.

4. Include a mortgage pre-approval letter.

Home buyers using mortgage loans can strengthen their offers by including a pre-approval letter from a lender.

Mortgage pre-approval is like a financial pre-screening process. It helps the lender determine if you’re qualified to take on a mortgage loan and the maximum amount you could borrow.

You’ll also receive a pre-approval letter that you can use when making offers on a home. This letter basically says to the seller: “We have examined this buyer’s finances and they’re able to borrow up to this amount.”

Attaching a pre-approval letter to your offer indicates the following:

• You’ve already talked to a lender. You didn’t just guess your budget—you filled out an application, gave your pay stubs, bank statements and credit report, and the lender reviewed them.
• You qualify for a loan up to a specific amount. It will list a maximum loan amount (for example, “up to $650,000”), and sometimes the type of loan (like a 30‑year fixed).
• You’re a serious buyer. Sellers know you’ve done the homework and aren’t just window shopping. They’re more likely to accept your offer over someone without a pre‑approval.

Sellers want to be confident that the transaction will go smoothly and that the buyer’s home loan will likely be approved. Including a pre-approval letter with your offer can provide that reassurance, making your offer more attractive.

5. Offer Flexible Terms to Match the Seller’s Needs

Sometimes the difference between two similar offers comes down to timing or small contract details. If you can accommodate the seller’s preferred closing date or occupancy needs, your offer instantly becomes more attractive.

• Flexible closing date: Ask the seller what closing timeline works best—whether they need a quick 30‑day close or extra time to find their next home. Then adjust your proposed closing date in the contract to match.
• Rent‑back or lease‑back options: If the seller needs more time after closing to move out, you can offer to lease the home back to them for a set number of days or weeks at a nominal rate.
• Waive or shorten less‑critical contingencies: Beyond your core financing and inspection contingencies, see if there are minor deadlines (like appraisal objection periods) you can compress. Just be sure you’re still comfortable with the overall risk.

Sellers often have personal situations—trading into a new home, timing a job relocation, or lining up temporary housing. An offer that minimizes disruption to their plans can outweigh even a slightly higher bid.