Your Match Email Arrived. Now What? A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Evaluate a Match Email

Each match email contains a summary of the other party's criteria, a match-strength indicator, and verification status. Your first job is to read it carefully. Does the price actually work for you? Is the location truly compatible? Is the timeline realistic? Do not dismiss partial matches too quickly — sellers and buyers who are flexible on one or two criteria are often the ones who close the best deals. A match that scores 80% on paper can become a 100% deal once you talk to the other person.

The Introductory Conversation — Do This Before Anything Else

Strongly recommended: a phone or video call before any in-person meeting. Use the call to confirm mutual interest, ask the obvious questions (sellers: is the buyer pre-approved or paying cash? Buyers: is the seller flexible on closing timing?), and get a basic sense of the other person. Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong on a phone call, it will not improve in person. A 15-minute call saves hours of wasted showings and protects you from people who never should have been at your front door.

Arranging and Conducting a Showing

Schedule showings in daylight whenever possible. Always bring a trusted person, a spouse, family member, or friend who knows where you are and when to expect you back. Sellers: present the home honestly. Hiding problems creates inspection issues later. Buyers: take notes during the showing, photograph anything that concerns you, and ask follow-up questions afterward in writing. If you have multiple match connections active simultaneously, that is normal — be transparent with both sides about your timeline.

Negotiating Directly — How It Actually Works

Direct negotiation is simply a conversation between two motivated parties. Without agents in the middle, real interests come to the surface faster. When a buyer expresses interest, ask for an offer in writing (even a brief email). Real estate attorneys generally recommend reviewing any written offer before responding, as even informal email exchanges can have legal implications. This is one reason having an attorney identified in advance is so valuable — you can move quickly when an offer arrives without scrambling to find representation at a critical moment. When you make or receive an offer, take time to consider it before responding. Discuss price, closing timeline, contingencies (inspection, financing, sale of other home), and any inclusions like appliances. The moment you reach an agreement in principle on the major terms, stop the conversation and call your attorney. Do not start filling in contract templates yourself.

Bringing in the Attorney — Do This at the Right Moment

Engage your attorney the instant you and the other party have agreed in principle on price and major terms — before anything is signed. Your attorney drafts or reviews the contract, ensures contingencies and disclosures are correct, and represents your interests through closing. If you do not yet have an attorney lined up, see Article 7 in this hub on how to find one. Do not — under any circumstances — sign anything before your attorney has reviewed it.

Safety in Every Interaction

Safety reminder: identity verification is not a background check. Always meet in daylight with a trusted person present, and never wire funds directly to a buyer or seller. All funds in a real estate transaction flow through a licensed title company or attorney trust account. If you feel unsafe at any point, leave. See our full Safety guide for complete recommendations.

What If a Match Does Not Respond

If a match does not respond to your initial outreach within 3 to 5 business days, one polite follow-up is appropriate. If there is still no response, move on. Not every match will result in a conversation and that is normal. Focus your energy on active matches.

What This Means in New York, New Jersey, and Florida