# Step 5: Make an offer. How to make an offer on a house in Georgia: the terms that matter

> Your offer is more than a price. In Georgia it also sets your earnest money, the number of due diligence days, any contingencies, who pays which closing costs, and the closing date. Those terms decide how protected you are later, so set them as carefully as the price. Nothing is final until both sides have signed and the acceptance has been delivered.

By David Knorr, founder of BuyWise Home. Last reviewed October 28, 2026. Web page: https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/make-an-offer

## The terms that matter

- **Price.** Based on what similar homes nearby recently sold for: the [comparable sales](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/comparable-sales).
- **[Earnest money](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/earnest-money).** Your deposit, often 1% to 3% of the price. You get it back if you walk away for a reason the contract allows.
- **The [due diligence period](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/due-diligence-period).** The number of days you have to inspect and walk away for any reason. In Georgia you usually pay a small amount of [option money](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/option-money) to the seller for this right.
- **[Contingencies](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/contingency).** Conditions that let you back out, like your financing falling through or the [appraisal](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/appraisal) coming in low.
- **[Seller concessions](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/seller-concession).** You can ask the seller to pay part of your closing costs.
- **The closing date**, and what stays with the house, like appliances.

## How many due diligence days to ask for

Ask for enough to book the inspection, bring in a specialist if something turns up, read everything and negotiate. Ten days is a common starting point. Fewer days can make your offer stronger in a busy market, but every day you give up comes out of your time to find problems.

## Counteroffers

The seller can accept, say no, or counter. Each counteroffer is a new offer that you can accept, counter or let go. The contract becomes final when the last person signs and the acceptance is delivered to the other side. That's your [Binding Agreement Date](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/binding-agreement-date), and most of your deadlines count from the day after.

## Dos and don'ts

**Do**

- Base your price on recent sales of similar homes nearby.
- Ask for enough due diligence days to finish every inspection.
- Ask for help with closing costs if you need it.
- Read every page before you sign.

**Don't**

- Waive due diligence to win the house.
- Put down more earnest money than you could bear to lose.
- Forget that the clock starts the day after the contract is final.
- Let a deadline in the offer pass without noticing.

## Questions to ask

**Your agent, before you offer**

1. What did the most similar homes nearby sell for, and how long did they take?
2. How many due diligence days do buyers usually get here right now?
3. Which terms in this offer protect me if the inspection goes badly?
4. Who holds the earnest money, and when is it due?

## See it on a real home

The sample report is the founder's own home, 775 Hampton Pl SW, Marietta, Georgia.

- [What similar homes nearby sold for](https://www.buywisehome.com/sample#comparable-sales): The comparison behind a fair price
- [How fast homes are selling](https://www.buywisehome.com/sample#market): And what that means for your offer

## Terms on this page

- [Comparable sales](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/comparable-sales): Recent sales of similar homes nearby: the evidence for a fair price.
- [Earnest money](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/earnest-money): A good-faith deposit held in escrow and credited to you at closing.
- [Due diligence period](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/due-diligence-period): The days after signing when, in Georgia, you can walk away for any reason.
- [Option money](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/option-money): A small payment to the seller for the right to walk away during due diligence.
- [Contingency](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/contingency): A condition that lets you back out without losing your deposit.
- [Appraisal](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/appraisal): The lender's independent estimate of what the home is worth.
- [Seller concession](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/seller-concession): Money the seller puts toward your closing costs. Also called a seller credit.
- [Binding Agreement Date](https://www.buywisehome.com/guide/glossary/binding-agreement-date): The day the contract becomes final. Most Georgia deadlines count from it.

## Sources

- [Georgia REALTORS®: how to count days from the Binding Agreement Date](https://www.qgdigitalpublishing.com/article/Legal+Ease+TWO+FOR+THE+PRICE+OF+ONE/4012873/705331/article.html)
- [CFPB: Buying a House](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/owning-a-home/)

_General information based on the standard Georgia REALTORS® purchase contract and public guidance. Your own contract decides: read it, and ask your agent or closing attorney about anything that matters. Not legal or financial advice._