Buying a Home · Straight answer from Kathleen
How much should I offer on a house?
You should offer what the evidence says the home is worth in this market, shaped by how badly you want it and how much competition it has. Yes, you can offer less than asking, and in the right conditions it is the smart play.
Also answered on this page
- Can I offer less than the asking price?
In a balanced or buyer-favorable market, an offer below asking is normal and can win, especially when the home has been listed a while or needs work. In a competitive market with multiple offers, your best offer is usually a serious first offer, because repositioning later may cost you the home.
I will give you a strategy for the specific situation: the comps justify a range, the seller's timeline and pricing tell us their psychology, and your goals set where in the range you land.
Offering is not a win-lose game. It is finding the price that closes the deal and leaves you happy with the house you bought.
On the North Shore
On the North Shore, well-priced homes in the popular towns can attract several offers and sell at or above asking, while longer-listed homes in the same towns invite negotiation. Knowing which situation you are in is half the strategy.
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Buying a Home
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