Almost daily now, I am receiving offers from buyers that are trying to take advantage of the desperate market that we are all hearing about. We all know what the news is broadcasting daily, and the dull-drums of how bad they say the current real estate market is. Who can blame these buyers... you don't know how much a seller is willing to take in order to make a sale happen unless you try~ right?!?! 

But is this really true? Are sellers so desperate that they'll take 25% or even more off of their asking price? I am not finding that. I have many sellers who are waiting for the right buyer to come along.... no matter how long it takes. I also have many homes that have sold~ even in this market. Many sellers are now offering TERRIFIC incentives to the buyer's and/or their agent for a timely sale. If you look at the actual sale numbers, MANY, MANY homes are selling, and most are selling at 94 - 96% of the asking price. The inventory is starting to drop some and the prices are also beginning to level off. All of this is indicitive of an improving market. We'll have to wait and see if this is the case, but it's all pointing in a much better direction. 

So Buyers, I commend your efforts, and I also work hard to make the deals come together for you. Keep in mind however, if you are seriously interested in purchasing the house that you are putting in a low-ball offer, you risk alienating the seller. This kind of offer often makes a seller so annoyed that they are a lot less flexible when you decide to come in with a more realistic offer.