Unless I'm signing my name on the purchase agreement, I provide comps but not a suggested number.   Some of things I do say are:

If you knew this home sold for $1000(or whatever amount) how would you feel?

If your offer is accepted at this price and with these terms -- would you think you overpaid?

The answers typically provide enough food for thought.  

I go over the numbers with them in detail and remind them it's their choice. If they really want the home they'll go with the numbers.  

"depends on how bad you want the home..."

All I can do is provide them with sufficient data to allow them to make an intelligent decision on their own. 

I answer a question with a question sometimes. In this case, I may say...

How bad do you want this place? Well then make an offer they can't refuse

Debbie Reynolds - this is simple! Make your best offer if you do not want to miss this! I am sending you the comparable market analysis for the home - however, the price is a meeting of mind between sellers and buyers....

Debbie,

I would review the comps with them.  And let them decide.  A

Not my decision, it's yours. What are you thinking?

I give them my honest opinion based on the value and go into how if they really like the house don't risk loosing it.

Provide the current comps , however if they are in a multiple offer situation I tend to say ,"Put your best foot forward"if they really want the property.

Well I do consider the comps and the direction of the market, but I ask them how much they want the house.  If this is the only house they have seen the like and there is no other house they want, then if the asking price is fair they should offer that as a minimum.  More in the really hot markets.  I don't think saving 5 - 10k is worth the risk of not getting the house they want and having to drive by it and regret everyday.  

Give them enough detailed information of the comps so they may make a decision. It is their money they are spending.

I always go to the comps, determine what the current market value is, then look at the sellers reason fo rselling and if there are any offers to know to come in at our best first or if we can make an offer to test the waters

It depends - how much do you want to pay for it?

I provide the comps to help them decide. 

We don't work with Buyers unless we have a buyer agency so then it is a comps discussion.

Good morning Debbie. That is never an easy question, but if I was in the business, would pull comparable sales to determine what the offer should be.

This is absolute confirmation that you've built trust & confidence with the client - if they are interested in your advice !

I provide them with information to assist in their decision.

I can't tell you what you should offer, just advise you on the market value and help you determine what it is worth to you.

     I will show them comps, time on market, etc.  If it is priced right, has just come on the market, I will suggest at or close to list price.

I show them the comps on the CMA I prepare

I tell them we will go over recently sold properties of similar size and style and come up with a price.  If it is an awesome home I tell them to offer now, full price.

As most have said, start with the comps.  Denver market is still very much in bidding wars so I ask them how they would feel losing this house knowing they were $1,000 low, $2,000, $4,000 and keep going until they find their tolerance.  My favorite advice is to picture them not winning the bid knowing they could have gone in stronger.  If it hurts, they know what to do.  If it doesn't then we go with what they want and it may or may not be enough, but at least it was their call.

If they are interested enough to asking that question, we start with a CMA and give them enough information for them to feel comfortable with their decision.

I try to give them information to make an informed decision

what do you think? compare it to other homes we have seen, where does it fall...giving plusses and minus for different items. its your call, but i will help you remember and compare and offer my opinion. IF AN AGENT ISNT ABLE OR WILLING TO OFFER AN OPINION, then just let zillow do the picking. as a PRO you must have a range, and then temper it with market conditions and that too is your opinion based on years of experience

If you really like the house don't nickel and dime your best offer.

Mr Buyer, we have seen several homes for more money that were clearly not as nice as this one AND a few homes offered for slightly less money but just don't meet your needs ... So based on that information, do you think the price is good? If so, I suggest you place the offer now before someone else comes along and buys it. Would you like me to put the contract together now so I can present it to the seller tonight?

Review the comparable sales with them.....depends on if your market is hot or not..I always ask if you were the seller would your offer be enticing. A buyer can make a decision if they have all the facts and understand the market they are dealing with.

I usually say lets make a cma and what are your thoughts.

I go over the neighborhood and market information with them and let them decide. 

"What do you feel comfortable offering?" Then have a discussion about it, pro and con while looking at a CMA. I give examples of possible outcomes, especially if there are other offers and my buyer wants to beat out those offers. I advise them how they can protect themselves from overpaying.

Debbie Reynolds I would review the CMA with them so thy can make an informed decision.

The question is a bit open ended. Oklahoma is a full disclosure state so I can see what would be the loan balance. Add that to other factors like DOM, condition of property etc. and then we have a process.

I would give them a range based on comparables and than ask them outright what they'd like to offer. Would consult with them further if it was a competitive or potentially competitive situation.

Best way is to strategize beforehand to get a feel if they are also reasonable offer writers.

Any advice I give is accompanied by a CMA.  The price they offer needs to be an informed decision that they buyer makes.

I like to "educate" my clients, and then we consult to come up with the best strategy for their situation, and the property they are considering.

I do them comps and show them what others have gone with to get it.

Give the customer the comps, talk with them about what is comfortable for them and then have them decide.

This is a great question Debbie Reynolds. I provide buyers with as much information as possible concerning the market, neighborhood, pricing, financing (if necessary), sold data, the current competition and the home they are considering. Next I ask them to carefully consider the list price and the seller's other requirements. I drive home the point that the closer the buyer comes to meeting the owner's real (not necessarily advertised) requirements, the greater the chance of the offer being accepted. Ideally, cash full price or better offers without contingencies are very difficult for sellers to turn down, assuming that the list prices are sane. Unfortunately, in today's sellers market convincing some sellers that their asking prices are unreasonable is a major hurdle for many buyers and their agents. 

Depends what is market value and if there is any competition. Some clients do not understand that sometimes properties are priced lower to attract more attention and more offers. 

Debbie - I usually give them a range, and ask them how bad they really want it. I also discuss the market, and if it is a sellers market, I would make sure they understood that they could be up against other offers, and their offer could easily be turned down without even countering (I have seen it happen). If it is a buyers market, I let them know typically they have more options. Also, it depends on how long the home has been on the market, etc. At the end, I let them know it is absolutely their decision, as I am not the one buying the home.

I start out the conversation with the answer that" the majority of the properties , over 90% sell within 10% of list price"  then I ask them to let me know how much they are willing to pay for the house.  review the market with them , recent sales. etc, etc.  when they can give me an answer on where they want to end of, we plot a course to get there. 

All Depends on the situation... I  review comps with my buyers  and discuss the buyers options and motivations. Generally they have looked a quite a few properties with me and know the value of a specific purchase and if there are no other hats in the ring.... we shoot under asking to  get to the bottom line number of a seller.  BUT I  always ask the other agent if there are other offers on the horizon that's a big help in all of this crafting a perfect offer business.  

Go over list price, comps, what they can afford, what they should have in reserves for fixup, inspections, closing costs, etc.  Then I ask them what type of statement they want to make with their offer and then I tell them the price they offer tells that story to a seller.  Low ball them and they may think even if we get them to come up, they may not stick around.

data, data, and more data

I show them the adjusted comps and let them make their own decision.

all a buyer's agent can and should do is provide comps to justify the "fair market range"....this is not an exact science... the fine tuned number depends on how much the buyer wants the property.....

We do the analysis, which includes comps, maybe a CMA with proper adjustments, review recent discount rates, mix in a little "how much do you love it", "how much can you really afford", location, inventory, etc.  and go from there. Piece of cake, right?

Absolutely ... I show them the data and ask ... based upon what you see here ... and the way the market is trending ... what do you feel you should offer.  Keep in mind, my market is CRAZY with multiple offers selling wayyyyyyy over asking price.

I tell them if they really want the home they need to put their best offer forward

I take them to my office and then show them comparable sales, the % of list to sales prices for these sales, the current market trend and then give them a recommendation.  

After I have pulled comps, I let them know what I think the home can appraise for.  In our market this past year, many buyers offered much more and even paid for over appraised value bringing the difference to the table.

If you lost this home, how much would you regret it?

Debbie,
I go over:

# 1 What is it worth, not what is the price.

# 2 How badly do they want it?

# 3 If it gets away, can we find one equal or better?

# 4 How long do they intend to own it?

# 5 What is the best strategy to buy this particular house.

The price to offer usually is easily determined.

If they are buyer clients, we go over the comps . If they are buyer customers, we just say not to give an insulting offer...

First I ask them what they think they should offer... then I go off and work out some comps for them and strategize based on market condition, demand for the neighborhood, etc.

 Good morning Debbie. It depends upon how hot the real estate market is. As an experienced agent, you should know that.

Trend line A is going up.

Line B is going up.

Line C is not going up.

Monthly sales on/off historic patterns

Mobility indicators suggest coming changes.

CIS reveals the value you shouild not exceed.

You should start your offer at X.

What are you thinking you should do?

"Here are the last 6 months/appropriate time period sales; note the list to sale price ratio [and anything else that is important to know]. You are now armed with the facts. Make an offer you feel comfortable with."

calculated risk.  Not going overboard.

In Silicon Valley if one presents an offer at asking or highest recent sold one is likely to be the lowest offer. It has been that way for 10 years. In the midest of Great Recession there were even more offers.

Low ball? Get me a break!