Be careful — you might lose the house before you even get a counteroffer
Everyone wants a deal — we get it.
That’s our job: helping you negotiate smart and get the best possible price on the home you love.
But here’s the truth:
Making a ridiculously low offer just to “see what happens” often backfires — badly.
We see this mistake most often with first-time buyers, but even experienced buyers fall into the trap.
Why It Can Cost You the House (and More)
When you make an offer that’s too low, a few things can happen — none of them good:
- You offend the seller — and yes, that’s a real risk. Many sellers are emotionally attached to their homes, and they take lowball offers personally.
- You put the listing agent on the defensive. They still have to present your offer, but if it’s seen as a waste of time, you may have lost a potential ally in the process.
- You kill any chance of a counteroffer — some sellers won’t even respond. Others may deliberately wait for your offer to expire, wasting your time while others keep viewing the home.
The worst part?
We’ve seen sellers get so offended they refuse to sell to a buyer even if they later offer full price. People are emotional — especially when it comes to their home.
Negotiating is Smart — But There’s a Right Way to Do It
We’re all for negotiating.
Haggling a little is expected — in fact, we encourage it. However, it must be reasonable and based on facts, rather than just wishful thinking.
Here’s what to do instead:
- Work with your agent to review comparable sales (“comps”)
- Look at how long the property has been on the market
- See if there are any obvious repairs or issues that justify a lower price
- Make an offer that reflects the real value — and leaves some room to negotiate
If the home is fairly priced and in a hot market, lowballing can easily push you out of the running, especially when multiple buyers are competing.
Don’t Forget — If You’re Asking for Concessions, That Is a Discount
If you’re asking the seller to pay $5,000 of your closing costs (which is common), they’re not going to ignore that in your offer.
They’re looking at their net — what they actually walk away with.
So if you offer $295,000 on a $300,000 home and ask for $5,000 in concessions, what the seller sees is a $290,000 offer.
That’s how they evaluate it — and that’s how their agent will present it.
So make sure your offer is fair after accounting for those credits.
Our House Karma Advice
- Want a deal? Great — let’s work for it. But don’t throw out a number just to test the waters.
- Sellers have pride in their home. If you’re going to make an offer below asking, back it up with facts
- If the house is truly overpriced, we’ll help you negotiate the right number. But if it’s fairly priced, trying to get a steal could cost you everything.
- Make your best realistic offer — something you’re comfortable with, and that respects the value of the home.
Bottom Line
Lowball offers don’t just waste time — they can cost you the home.
In this market, great houses often get multiple offers. You don’t want to start off by insulting the seller, making the listing agent roll their eyes, or putting yourself at a disadvantage before real negotiations even begin.
We’ll always fight to get you the best deal — that’s what we do.
But we’ll also help you do it smart, with real comps, real numbers, and a strategy that gets you to the closing table — not stuck on the sidelines.
Let’s play to win — not guess and hope.
