The basics of navigating a counter offer as a home seller

by Pierre C. Rumpf 02/05/2024

How to assess when it's a good idea to counter offer featured image

If you're on the fence about whether to reject or accept an offer to purchase, you may be pondering over a third option: submitting a counteroffer. 

Deciding to counter-offer can be a tough decision for first-time and experienced house sellers alike. However, with the right preparation and research, you can handle submitting a counteroffer with confidence. 

Assess your residence

Even though your home’s initial asking price is not set in stone, you likely have expectations about how much your home should be sold for. If a homebuyer submits an offer to purchase that falls below your expectations, assessing your residence can help you make the best-possible decision.

For instance, if your home is in great condition and has unique aspects worthwhile to buyers, when a low offer is submitted, you may want to consider countering the offer. This can give you a better idea if the potential buyer is financially flexible and helps you to get an offer closer to what you think your home is worth. 

Review the housing market

Housing market data can help home sellers make informed decisions as they sell their home.  

It's beneficial to examine the prices of similar properties being sold in your area. This can help you determine if an offer meets your needs and industry standards, or if it falls too low. 

Work with a real estate agent

A real estate agent is a house selling expert who can allocate the necessary time and resources to help you review an offer to purchase. They can provide a recommendation about whether to counter a homebuying proposal and review all available information to see if this is the best course of action. 

Using the aforementioned tips, you can perform a full evaluation of an offer to purchase and proceed accordingly.


About the Author
Author

Pierre C. Rumpf

Broker Profile: Pierre comes from a diverse background. His adolescent and early adult years found him working for his father, a renowned structural engineer, and his brother, an architectural designer and general contractor. His knowledge of construction design (architectural & structural) and practices is significant. He coupled his construction background with his considerable sales experience, by becoming licensed to sell real estate in Massachusetts in 1986.

Pierre is also a licensed Attorney in the Commonwealth, who formerly worked for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office as a litigator in the Victim & Witness Assistance Division of the Family & Community Crimes Bureau, litigating cases involving victims of violent crime, and since then has had his own legal practice.

For decades, Pierre has excelled in helping buyers of real estate find that condo, single-family, multi-family, lot of lands, or commercial property they desire to buy, or by effectively marketing his clients’ properties to sell their property for the most amount of money possible. His professional background embodies the ideal combination of construction, sales, negotiating, and contract drafting, which is essential to actualizing his clients’ goals and/or dreams. He does all of this with attention to detail, integrity, and success.

Since 1995, PCR Realty has helped buyers and sellers make their transactions as successful as possible. Using a consultative approach, PCR Realty approaches each experience as a unique opportunity for its clients. As a full-service real estate brokerage firm, PCR Realty provides leading-edge services for buyers & sellers.

When it comes to successfully navigating today’s complex real estate market, you need to work with someone who has the experience and commitment to see it done right. PCR Realty excels at matching buyers to sellers. From state-of-the-art marketing to an experienced broker, PCR Realty works diligently to far exceed your expectations. PCR Realty invites you to learn more.