Selling Your Home
How do I handle lowball offers?
By Steve Lockhart
The short answer
A low offer can feel personal, but it is better read as information. Start by evaluating the offer calmly and completely: the price, the financing, the deposit, the contingencies, the closing date, and what you would actually net.
Full answer
A low offer can feel personal, but it is better read as information. Start by evaluating the offer calmly and completely: the price, the financing, the deposit, the contingencies, the closing date, and what you would actually net. Understand the buyer's position as well. A buyer offering low with strong financing and a real timeline may be taking a chance; a low offer with weak terms is a different situation. Then respond strategically. You can counter at a number closer to your target, adjust terms instead of price, or decline without a counter if the gap is too wide. The market evidence matters here: how long the home has been listed, how much showings and offer activity suggest, and what comparable homes are doing. A thoughtful counter keeps the negotiation alive on the terms that matter to you, and rejecting a low offer is also a strategy when it protects your position.
Go a little deeper
Frequently asked
Questions sellers often follow up on
Should I ignore a low offer?
Usually not. Ignoring it closes the conversation and tells the buyer nothing. A counter, even a modest one, keeps you in the process and communicates your position. If the offer is genuinely unreasonable, a clear decline through your agent is still more professional than silence.
How do I know the buyer can actually close?
Your agent verifies financing and pre-approval before you invest serious negotiation energy. The strength of the buyer is part of the offer, and qualification is confirmed before it is treated as a real contract.
Will countering risk losing a better offer?
A counter is a normal part of negotiation and does not stop other buyers from viewing or offering. Offers are evaluated as they arrive, and your agent manages the process so a serious buyer and a competitive market can both work in your favor.
The Lockhart Method
The Lockhart Method
Your Home | My Strategy | Proven Results
My strategy: let the offer sheet and the market evidence, not the emotional reaction, lead the response. We read the buyer's position, build the counter on your net and your goals, and keep the negotiation moving toward a decision you understand.
Schedule a Consultation