I am perplexed!  How does one properly, PROFESSIONALLY respond to a low-ball offer.

I received a call from the office earlier today, my Saturday off, advising that a Contract had come in on one of our listings. Excitement took over. I changed out of my yard working cloths and headed for the office. As I reviewed the offer I was disheartened. The property is SWEET! Lake front, well maintained and priced to sell. Yet I was looking at a purchase offer 35K below asking price.

I contacted the seller, advised them I had a purchase offer and requested time to see them for the presentation. Being Saturday afternoon and all, he said just tell me what the offer is, Hal. Okay, if that's what you want. The offer is XXXXX. Long silence. Are you still there?, Yes, I am, just trying to find the words to respond. "The offer is totally unacceptable!" I ask, "Would you like to make a counter offer? I know their offer is low-ball, but it wouldn't hurt to counter. Okay, he says, counter 5K lower then our asking price. Fine. I called the buyers agent, appraised her that the offer was unacceptable and my seller has countered 5K below asking price.

Her reply, "My buyers will be insulted with your counter-offer." UH! Tongue in cheek, as friendly a tone as I could muster, "My seller was taken aback at your Low-ball offer, however in an effort to proceed and come to a mutual agreement and sale our seller countered."

Buyers agent, "My buyer will never agree to a price like that, they want to do some extensive remodeling the cost of which is reflected in their offer.

I understand, however that is a personal choice on your buyers part. My seller is not interested in paying for their remodeling projects.

The agent was not happy with our position and made it indelibly clear before she ended the call.

I have been in business for many years however, I will never understand how an insulting party can be offended with by courteous reply. Am I missing something here?