Last Saturday, I showed my first time home buyer couple a home they are very interested in for the 2nd time. They invited both sets of parents. I was concerned about how the parents would behave, but they were all very supportive and stood back to let this be their kids' decision.
As we were wrapping up the showing, the buyers asked if they could call me later. Of course they could. About an hour later they called and asked to meet with me to do some paperwork. We agreed to meet at the restaurant they had just been having lunch with the parents. I was there in 15 minutes. When I arrived the parents were gone; it was just the buyers.
So, since it seemed they were eager, I got right down to the big question. What price would you like to offer? Without hesitation, they said $119,000. The asking price is $119,900. Essentially they wanted to make an offer at the asking price.
Knock me over with a feather! I stuttered, stumbled for a moment. Did I hear that correctly? This isn't going to be a low ball offer? The home has been on the market for 7 months. In my neighborhood, that's still a relatively short time. The price started at $143,900. The buyers figured if the sellers had come down that far, then they are very likely at break-even. They didn't want to insult the sellers. They wanted to make a fair offer.
They also understood that since the sellers had aggressively reduced the price and we're going into the Spring market, and the home is in a good location, and it's in good condition, they wanted to make an aggressive offer.
Their offer was accepted on Sunday as written.
Now, if only a few more buyers could think like this.
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