So, you've found a house you want to buy. Congratulations! Now you need to decide how much you're willing to pay to make it yours. In some real estate markets, multiple offers on the same home are commonplace, so you may only get one chance to make an offer that the seller will consider. That's why it's important to think carefully about your strategy. Your real estate agent should be able to give you a list of similar homes nearby that have sold recently, and for how much. Although you can't directly compare the home you want with the homes on the list without ever having been in them, you can use the list of comparable sales to get a general idea of the neighborhood's price range.

In addition to sale prices for other homes, there are several ways you can determine a good amount to offer:

• The condition of the house. Is the home in move-in condition, in need of paint and other cosmetic improvements, or a fixer-upper that needs some real work?
• The market. If you are in a buyer's market - where there are more homes for sale than there are people to buy them - prices may be stable or falling. If you are in a seller's market - where there are more buyers looking for homes than there are homes for sale - prices may be moving upward.
• Your threshold. If you've gotten a credit pre-approval, you know how much you can borrow for your home purchase. Of course, you may not be comfortable paying as much as you've been approved to borrow, so think carefully about your financial situation before making an offer.