Current Topic:
Low Offers

You have found the perfect house with everything you wanted--and then some--but the price is more than you want to pay. You decide to go for it anyway, and ask the agent to submit what Realtors call a "low ball" offer.

Low ball offers sometimes work. If the market is fluctuating and the sellers are anxious, they may just go for it. If the house is listed at a higher price than it should be, the sellers will probably be willing to negotiate. Most sellers are reasonable and open to offers, but they won't give their house away, especially if the asking price is in line with recent sales of similar homes.

What do you have to lose by making a low offer? If the seller yells and screams, it's usually the agent, and not you, who will be the focus of his wrath--and we don't take it personally. If you really want the house, however, a very low initial offer may insult or irritate the seller to the point that he won't even consider a counter offer. Design your strategy on the basis of how badly you want the house.