Make an offer with no money in the game?

[Kyle Hubicka]

Hello,

I am completely new to real estate investing. I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada. This may be a stupid question, however, I'm curious. If I was to make an offer on a place, and the seller and I came to an agreement on price. Can I lock up that property for a few months, while I look for a partner/investor to jump in with me? If I cannot make that situation work, would I be able to walk away scot-free? 

[Thomas S.]

You simply make a offer contingent on financing.

This is a common approach but in a hot market there is no reason for a seller to accept when other buyers are preapproved.

Making offers without financing in place does not make much scenes when investing. Investors should always have financing available for the very reason you state---great deals. 

Deals are like busses, don't worry about missing one, another will come along very soon.