The Counter Offer – Negotiation Strategies For Sellers
Ann Morgan
Ann Morgan
Getting an offer on your home is very exciting. Then you open the offer and realize it’s not what you were expecting, leaving you wondering what to do next. Responding to an offer that isn’t acceptable comes down to strategic negotiation. Here are a few of the most effective strategies used by successful listing agents to handle a low offer.
The most common way to respond to a low offer is to send the buyers a counteroffer. You can counter at your original list price and terms or adjust slightly to offer a middle ground between your asking price and their initial proposal.
This strategy invites the buyer to revise their offer if they choose. While most often used when navigating multiple offer situations, it works just as effectively with a single buyer who needs a clear signal that their opening offer is not acceptable.
Price is not the only element of an offer open to negotiation; terms carry substantial leverage. Sellers can often secure a higher price point by offering flexible escrow timelines, rent-back options, or including high-end furnishings or home features.
There is no obligation to respond to an offer that falls far below an acceptable threshold. A seller always retains the right to reject an offer outright, signaling to the buyer that negotiation requires a far more serious starting point.
Receiving an offer is an exciting milestone. By evaluating your counter-negotiation options carefully, you can protect your equity and secure favorable terms for your home sale.
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