Lowball Offer on Your Home? Here’s Our Playbook
GoBankingRates asked real estate pros how sellers should respond to lowball bids—and included our take. The article walks through practical steps sellers can use to keep emotions in check and regain leverage at the negotiating table.
“The first thing I’d mention about a lowball offer is that it isn’t an insult, it’s a data point.” — Rachel Fiegler, Pinpointe Group
Why we said it: A low number is information. It tells you something about the buyer’s seriousness, timelines, financing, and how your listing is landing. Use it to sharpen your counter rather than walking away on principle.
Our POV:
- De-personalize, then diagnose. Check comps, days on market, and showing feedback. If the offer is unserious, decline and keep momentum. If it’s within striking distance, counter fast with an expiry.
- Negotiate terms before price. Tighten closing timeline, appraisal gap language, contingencies, and deposit—then move the number. Structured counters beat emotional back-and-forth.
- Create competition. If you got a lowball offer, use it. “When word gets out that an offer (any offer) is on the table, sideline buyers come in with stronger numbers.”
Bottom line: Don’t reward a weak offer, but don’t waste the data, either. Respond intentionally and use the moment to set the rules of engagement.
Read the full article in GoBankingRates.
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