Offer Review

2639 Fairlawn Dr, Stillwater, MN

Prepared by Matt Van Voorhis - The Hockey REALTORĀ®

Evaluation Framework

How to Evaluate an Offer the Right Way

Price gets all the headlines — but the strongest offer isn't always the highest number. A great offer is one that actually closes, on your timeline, with minimal surprises along the way. Here are the four pillars we'll use to assess every offer on the table.

Price

The offer amount and how it compares to list price and market value.

Terms

Contingencies, concessions, and clauses that affect your net and your flexibility.

Risk

How likely is this offer to close? Financing strength and contingencies tell the story.

Flexibility

Does the timeline work for you? Closing date and possession terms can make or break a deal.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Offer Comparison at a Glance

Use this table to quickly compare all offers across the key categories that matter most to you as the seller. We'll go deeper on each one in the following sections.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Offer Comparison at a Glance Continued

Use this table to quickly compare all offers across the key categories that matter most to you as the seller. We'll go deeper on each one in the following sections.

Offer 1

Offer #1 — Deep Dive

Purchase Price

$410,000


Financing Type

Conventional

Down Payment

10% — $41,000

Earnest Money

$3,000— due within 2 business days

Terms Breakdown

Inspection

5 Day Inspection Contingency

Appraisal

Contingent on appraisal

Financing

Pre-approved by Cross Country Mortgage. The buyer's are pre-approved to put 20% down.

Timeline

Closing: 5/29/2026 — Possession: Immediately after closing.

Offer 1

āœ… Pros

  • Strong conventional financing with 10% down.
  • Flexible closing date aligns with your timeline.
  • Written statement date is 2 weeks prior to closing.

āš ļø Considerations

  • 5 day Inspection contingency.
  • Low earnest money at $3,000. Typical is 1% of the purchase price.
  • Written statement money refunded to buyer if the buyer is unable to close.
Offer 2

Offer #2 — Deep Dive

Purchase Price

$410,000


Financing Type

Conventional

Down Payment

3% — $12,300

Earnest Money

$7,000 — due within 2 business days

Terms Breakdown

Inspection

7 day contingency. Per the contract on line 194 seller will ensure that all attic access points are accessible, with seals broken, prior to the home inspection (not uncommon to ask).

Appraisal

Contingent on appraisal.

Financing

Pre-approved by Magnolia Bank. They are fully pre-approved.

Timeline

Closing: 5/29/2026 — Possession: Immediately after closing.

āœ… Pros

  • Above asking offer price.
  • Closing date aligns with your timeline
  • Very strong earnest money.
  • Written statement date is 2 weeks prior to closing.

āš ļø Considerations

  • Lower down payment on their financing.
  • Written statement money refunded to buyer if the buyer is unable to close.
  • Home sale contingency. The home is in the pending status and set to close on 4/22/2026.
  • Longer inspection contingency.
Offer 3

Offer #3 — Deep Dive

Purchase Price

$400,000


Financing Type

Conventional

Down Payment

5% — $20,000

Earnest Money

$4,000— due within 2 business days

Terms Breakdown

Inspection

10 Day inspection contingency

Appraisal

Contingent on appraisal

Financing

Buyer has not provided the pre-approval letter yet so unsure about their qualifications. They are asking for 3% seller paid closing costs ($12,000).

Timeline

Closing: 5/27/2026 — Possession: Immediately after closing.

āœ… Pros

  • Asking price.
  • Decent down payment.
  • 1% Earnest money.
  • Closing aligns with your timeline.

āš ļø Considerations

  • Long inspection contingency.
  • Written statement money refunded to the buyer if the buyer is unable to close.
  • Written statement date so close to closing date.
  • Pre-approval letter has not been provided yet.
  • 3% seller paid closing costs ($12,000). Buyer may not have a lot of funds to work with.
Offer 4

Offer #4 — Deep Dive

Purchase Price

$410,000


Financing Type

Conventional

Down Payment

20% — $82,000

Earnest Money

$5,000— due within 2 business days

Terms Breakdown

Inspection

7 day contingency

Appraisal

Contingent on appraisal

Financing

Fully underwritten pre-approval by Tradition Mortgage.

Timeline

Closing: 5/29/2026 — Possession: Immediately after closing

āœ… Pros

  • strong lender and pre-approval.
  • 20% down is great. They are well financed.
  • No home sale contingency.
  • Closing aligns with your timeline.

āš ļø Considerations

  • Longer inspection contingency
  • Written statement earnest money refunded to buyer.
Offer 5

Offer #5 — Deep Dive

Purchase Price

$399,990


Financing Type

Conventional

Down Payment

10% — $39,999

Earnest Money

$4,000— due within 2 business days

Terms Breakdown

Inspection

4 day contingency.

Appraisal

Contingent on appraisal

Financing

Full pre-approval through Guaranteed Rate. Credit, income, and assets verified.

Timeline

Closing: Seller's choice. Possession immediately after closing

āœ… Pros

  • Clean terms.
  • No home sale contingency.
  • short 4 day inspection contingency.
  • Pre-approved by a quality lender.
  • Good downpayment.

āš ļø Considerations

  • Lower purchase price compared to other offers.
  • $13,000 in seller paid closing costs.
Offer 6

Offer #6 — Deep Dive

Purchase Price

$450,000


Financing Type

Conventional

Down Payment

30% — $135,000

Earnest Money

$4,500 — due within 2 business days

Terms Breakdown

Inspection

They did not write how many days. However, the purchase is not contingent on the inspection.

Appraisal

Full appraisal gap guarantee.

Financing

Fully Pre-approved through City Wide Home Mortgage.

Timeline

Closing: 5/27/2026— Possession: Immediately after closing.

āœ… Pros

  • High purchase price.
  • Full appraisal guarantee.
  • Not contingent on inspection, however they are still going to conduct one.
  • Meets your closing timeline.
  • Strong financing.

āš ļø Considerations

  • N/A


Offer 7

Offer #7 — Deep Dive

Purchase Price

$420,000


Financing Type

Conventional

Down Payment

7% — $29,400

Earnest Money

$5,000 — due within 2 business days

Terms Breakdown

Inspection

Waived

Appraisal

Contingent on appraisal

Financing

Fully Pre-approved through Granite Bank. Assets, credit and income verified

Timeline

Closing: on or before 6/5/2026 — Possession: Immediately after closing.

āœ… Pros

  • Strong offer price.
  • Waived Inspection

āš ļø Considerations

  • No appraisal coverage.
Offer 8

Offer #8 — Deep Dive

Purchase Price

$430,000


Financing Type

Conventional

Down Payment

3% — $12,900

Earnest Money

$10,000— due within 2 business days

Terms Breakdown

Inspection

12 Days

Appraisal

Contingent on appraisal

Financing

Fully approved through Bell Bank.

Timeline

Closing: 6/2/2026 — Possession: Immediately after closing

āœ… Pros

  • Good offer price
  • Strong earnest money
  • Bell Bank is a highly reputable lender

āš ļø Considerations

  • Long inspection contingency
  • Low down payment
Offer 9

Offer #9 — Deep Dive

Purchase Price

$410,000


Financing Type

Conventional

Down Payment

20% — $82,000

Earnest Money

$5,000 — due within 2 business days

Terms Breakdown

Inspection

7 Days

Appraisal

Contingent on appraisal

Financing

First State Bank

Timeline

Closing: 5/28/2026 — Possession: Immediately after closing

āœ… Pros

  • Strong financing

āš ļø Considerations


Offer 10

Offer #10 — Deep Dive

Purchase Price

$395,000


Financing Type

Conventional

Down Payment

20% — $79,000

Earnest Money

$10,000 — due within 2 business days

Terms Breakdown

Inspection

Waived

Appraisal

Contingent on appraisal

Financing

Approved through Better Mortgage

Timeline

Closing: 5/1/2026 — Possession: Immediately after closing.

āœ… Pros


āš ļø Considerations

Offer 11

Offer #11 — Deep Dive

Purchase Price

$420,000


Financing Type

FHA

Down Payment

3.5% — $14,700

Earnest Money

$4,200 — due within 2 business days

Terms Breakdown

Inspection

6 Days

Appraisal

Contingent on appraisal

Financing

Pre-approved with Luminate Bank.

Timeline

Closing: 5/28/2026 — Possession: Immediately

āœ… Pros


āš ļø Considerations

Offer 12

Offer #12 — Deep Dive

Purchase Price

$412,000


Financing Type

Conventional

Down Payment

20% — $82,400

Earnest Money

$5,000 — due within 2 business days

Terms Breakdown

Inspection

7 Days

Appraisal

Contingent on appraisal

Financing

Pre-approved through Wells Fargo.

Timeline

Closing: 5/29/2026 — Possession: Immediately

āœ… Pros


āš ļø Considerations

Net Sheet Snapshot

What You Actually Walk Away With

Purchase price is the headline — but your estimated net proceeds tell the real story. After accounting for commission, seller-paid costs, closing fees, and any concessions, here's how each offer stacks up in your po