What This Calculator Does
The What to Offer on a House Calculator helps home buyers decide on a competitive yet sensible offer price. Starting from the seller's list price, it applies a market-condition adjustment plus your own fine-tuning percentage, then shows the resulting offer, how far it sits above or below list, and a suggested earnest money deposit.
How to Use It
Enter the property's list price, pick the market type (buyer's, balanced, or seller's), add any extra adjustment percentage to reflect comps or condition, and set the earnest money deposit percentage. The tool combines the market and adjustment percentages and applies them to the list price. A negative total lowers your offer; a positive total raises it.
The Formula Explained
The core equation is $$\text{Offer} = \text{List Price} \times \left(1 + \frac{p}{100}\right)$$, where \(p\) is the sum of the market adjustment and your extra adjustment. For example, a balanced market is 0%, a buyer's market suggests -5%, and a seller's market suggests +5%. The earnest deposit is simply the offer multiplied by your chosen deposit percentage.
Worked Example
Suppose a home is listed at $400,000 in a seller's market (+5%) and you add a +2% adjustment for desirable comps. Total adjustment = 7%. $$\text{Offer} = 400{,}000 \times 1.07 = \textbf{\$428{,}000}$$ which is $28,000 above list. With a 1% earnest deposit, you'd put down $4,280.
FAQ
Is this a substitute for a real estate agent? No. These figures are a starting point. Always review recent comparable sales and get professional guidance.
Can I offer below list? Yes — choose a buyer's market or enter a negative adjustment to produce an offer under the list price.
What is earnest money? It is a good-faith deposit submitted with your offer, typically 1–3% of the price, that shows the seller you are serious.
