Getting an offer

As of right now, most buyers are being told that it's a buyer's market and they can get a steal.  In some parts of the country this is very true.  In others, it's not so much.  Multiple reports have said that Texas' real estate market is doing well compared with the rest of the nation.  Dallas, more specifically, is doing very well too.  Nevertheless, buyers are all too eager to hear the news that benefits them best and that's what they keep in mind when making an offer on your house.

In my career, I've seen some low-ball offers come across the table every now and then.  Now more than ever, I'm seeing them on almost every property.  There has definitely been a shift in the buyer mentality.  Because the news is telling them they can get a steal, they don't want to buy a property unless they feel they're getting one.

So, the offer that's just been presented to you may appear to be insulting.  You may balk at it and consider not even responding.  Resist the temptation.  If you must be mad at someone, be mad at the other people who looked at your home and didn't make an offer.

This is where the negotiating finesse comes in.  Like I said, the buyers want to feel they're getting a good deal, so it's important the facts be laid out on the table.  If you've taken my advice from the other entries in my blog, you've already priced your home competitively for the market.  If your agent has done his/her homework, he/she knows the competition and can defend your house against the others.  He/she can point out the strengths of your home and the weaknesses of the others.

And then you counter the original offer.  You may take a lot off the top or not much at all, but at least with a counter and the facts, you're showing the buyers that you want to work with them to create a win-win.  When positioned correctly, they can feel they're getting a deal.