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Low Ball Offers are a Part of Selling in Today's Market

By
Real Estate Agent

If you're selling a home in today's market, then you know that it is taking longer to get your property sold.  Pricing your property correctly from the start is probably one of the most important factors in making sure that your home doesn't sit on the market longer than it should.

Even when you are priced correctly and marketed well, another factor in today's real estate market, even here in the Greater Hickory, NC area, is the low-ball offer.

Yes, even homes that are priced well, or even a little under market value, many times will get the low-ball offer thrown out at them.  When sellers get these type offers, especially if it happens to be the first offer, many get frustrated or discouraged in the selling process.  I'm here to tell you...don't.

Unfortunately, low-balls offers are a part of selling in today's market.  The news media has pushed into most buyers minds that everything up for sale can be had "at rock bottom prices," and that most sellers are "desperate" to sell for any price.  With some buyers, it may be nothing more than a ploy to see how far you'll actually be willing to come down from your initial price.

Do not get mad or discouraged at low-ball offers on your home.  In almost all cases, the best thing to do is discuss the offer with your real estate professional.  If the buyer is really a qualified buyer, then counter the offer with a reasonable price for you.  If the buyer is only 'out for the deal' then you've not lost anything.  The two of you would have never comes to terms anyway.

Most likely, it's a buyer 'testing' the price.  Once they see that you aren't the 'sell at any price' seller, they'll be much more willing to negotiate at the true market value of your home.

Posted by

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Hickory Home SearchForeclosure Hunter

 

Roger Johnson is a Realtor with CENTURY 21 American Homes in Hickory, NC.

 

I service the Catawba and surrounding counties, and the Hickory, Newton, Conover, Taylorsville, Claremont, Statesville and Charlotte, NC real estate markets.

Visit us on the web at: www.HickoryNCHomes.com

You can contact me via Email or give me a call at 828-381-9245 or 828-568-2121 ext 310

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Comments (5)

Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Any offer starts a conversation, especially in today's market.    I agree with you that the media has "trained" the buyer to do the lowball route.

Oct 04, 2010 08:59 AM
Clark Cook
1st Choice Realty of Fayetteville, LLC - Fayetteville, NC
Marketing Homes For Sale In Fayetteville NC Area

This is great advise for consumers, Roger. Most sellers expect the buyer to offer lees than the asking price, but they don't expect a ridiculous offer! You are correct though, low-ball offers are a reality we must deal with.

Oct 04, 2010 09:14 AM
Roger Johnson
Hickory, NC

With so many posts of late about how negative the mere idea of getting a low-ball offer is, I thought this might be an eye-opener for some.  Thanks for commenting

Oct 04, 2010 10:25 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro

Roger--I agree...and as agents we should prepare our sellers that these offers are not a possibility but a probability so they are mentally prepared to deal with a low offer. Any offer can be negotiated. I have had seller's who have received initally very low offers but through negotiations were able to find a number (often much closer to asking) that worked for both parties. Don't get mad...negotiate! :)

Oct 05, 2010 02:05 AM
Roger Johnson
Hickory, NC

Don't get mad...negotiate!  I like that alot Teri, and that's exactly what you should do.  Thanks.

Oct 05, 2010 08:42 AM