If you receive a "lowball" offer to purchase your house, your first reaction may be to respond with an immediate "No." However, it is important to evaluate any offer to purchase your house closely. Because if you weigh the pros and cons of rejecting an offer to purchase your home, you'll be better equipped than ever before to make an informed decision about any homebuying proposal you receive.
Now, let's take a look at three factors to consider before you reject an offer to purchase your residence.
1. Your Home's Price
What you may consider to be a lowball offer to purchase your home may actually be a competitive homebuying proposal – it all depends on the current state of the housing market. Thus, if you analyze the housing market, you can find out how your home's price stacks up against the prices of comparable houses and review an offer to purchase accordingly.
If you find your home's price falls in line with similar houses in your city or town, you likely have a competitive initial asking price in place. And if a buyer's offer to purchase your home falls short of your house's initial asking price, you may want to decline the proposal.
On the other hand, if your home is priced much higher than comparable residences in your area, you may want to adjust your home selling expectations. In this instance, you may find a lowball offer to purchase turns out to be a competitive homebuying proposal. As a result, you may be more inclined to accept the proposal based on the current housing market's conditions.
2. Your Home's Condition
Oftentimes, buyers will account for potential home repairs or upgrades they will need to complete if they acquire a house. This means a buyer may submit an offer to purchase below a seller's initial asking price due to the fact that a house may require assorted repairs or upgrades in the near future.
Take a look at the condition of your home – you'll be glad you did. If you find your home is in need of significant repairs or upgrades, you may want to consider these projects before you reject a buyer's offer to purchase your house.
3. Your Home Selling Goals
It generally is a good idea to start the home selling journey with goals in hand. That way, if an offer to purchase your house allows you to achieve your home selling goals, you can accept the proposal. Or, if an offer to purchase your house moves you further away from accomplishing your home selling goals, you can reject the proposal.
As you get set to complete the home selling journey, you may want to hire a real estate agent too. This housing market professional can help you assess any offers to purchase your house, at any time. By doing so, a real estate agent can help you determine how to proceed with an offer to purchase and ensure you can make the best-possible decision.
Eileen is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson and has been in the industry since 2004. Her experience in home sales range from a $4,000,000 single family home to a $100,000 Co-op. She covers both Westchester and Putnam County and works with both buyers and sellers. "My love for Westchester and particularly the Hudson River Valley is one of the many reasons why I enjoy working in real estate". She is a lifelong resident of Westchester County. She grew up in Tarrytown and moved to Briarcliff Manor where she raised her family. She received her MPA from Pace University and worked many years in the Human Resources field. She held the title of Vice President of HR for the largest teaching hospital in Westchester and Director of Classification and Compensation for one of the largest employers in Westchester County. After a successful HR career, Eileen decided to retire to make a full time commitment to her real estate clients. Outside of work you can find Eileen on the Tennis, Platform, or Pickleball Court along with Hiking in Westchester or the surrounding counties.