They're not offended, it's a bargaining tactic. Your husband is right don't respond to it and see what they really do. They'll either come up slightly or leave it be, in which case the next move is up to you.
Never be insulted with anything someone does in a business situation.
Good luck,
Fred

It would depend on how desperate I was to sell the property but I would probably withdraw my counter and stay at your already lowered price. If they are offended already you sure are not going to offend them any worse. I do have a tendancy to get a little stiff necked when someone tries to "handle" me.

Good luck with your house.

We closed on our home on 7/29 our circumstances were almost identical to yours. Our buyers were very qualified and pre-approved for a loan. They had sold their home. We countered their offer and were told they would be going to their second choice home. DH and I talked. We had been on the market 7 months already and in 3 more months would be $6k in payments and money would never see again. We swallowed our pride and went back and took their offer. It was one of the best decisions we ever made. Everytime the 1st of the month comes along and we don't have to write that check we smile.

There is a story about NASCAR driver Carl Edwards he went to his friend Kenny Schrader and said I have an offer to drive a car. What do you think I should do? Kenny told him to "put that offer on the table with all the other offers he had and pick the best one". Just like Carl we didn't have any other offers. <g>

Maybe you need to remind your realtor that they are working for you and not the buyer. Either way,good luck on the sale of your house.Sure wish ours was sold also.

-- Edited by macattack at 21:39, 2008-09-01

At this time, potential buyers think they have the upper hand. Our house has been on market since April.

We have 20x30 steel building on property. One potential buyer wanted us to REMOVE the building. It is only 3 years old. Also, we are throwing in our washer and dryer - no charge. Both the same color and in a separate laundry room. But not same brand. They wanted a NEW washer and dryer.

Also, they don't like the paint color in the kitchen. Wanted US to repaint it for them.

Answer was NO, No and No.

If we agreed to any of the above, what would be their next demand. Oh yes, we have a fish pond on the property. They wanted to know if we would be leaving the fish. Of course not - we planned on keeping them in our RV toilet!!!!

Phyllis,

Thanks for sharing - you've put it all in perspective for me.  

We are doing what we can on our part so if it happens it happens and we'll move on.  So far no requests to paint, remove a pole barn, or buy new appliances though - where do some people get off?  Might as well put in hardwood floors and granite countertops for them too, while you are at it maybe throw in an inground pool in the backyard, and if you can come back and clean it for them every week that would be good too. 

Travel Junkie,

We will list our house in late April or early May of 2009.  We will price it aggressively, but we will NOT give it away.  There is a big difference between a reasonable offer and a ridiculous offer.  You took the right action IMHO.

Bill's comment, to consult with local realtors is excellent advice. A good one can pretty accurately tell what your house will fetch in the current market. It's only worth what someone will offer for it. there's no such thing as a low ball offer, unless someone will pay you more.

I wonder, if Traveljunkie has to wait 6 more months to get the additional $30K, is that the wisest thing to do? House payments, utilities, taxes, maintenance, stress and frustration??

In the end you have to decide which is more important - receiving a certain price for your home, or getting on with the rest of your life.

JMO,

Fred

cc wrote:

---

Don't know what area of the country you are in, but our house has been on the market for almost a year and a half. It seems our main competitors are bank owned homes. We have had only one offer in all that time and it was laughable. Our realtor said to not even counter offer. We are on our second realtor and have lowered as far as we will go.
We are waiting to buy our MH until we sell. Waiting patiently (I think).
cc
Fort Worth, TX

---

That's the same problem we face here in Naples, FL.  Before the bubble burst speculators were buying up new construction at pre-construction prices and flipping them for an easy profit.  However, when the bubble burst many of them were left holding condos and homes they couldn't sell so many of them walked away from them. 

An article in today's local paper says home sales are picking up, but prices continue to fall.  We're hopeful that this winter will bring lots of snowbirds looking to buy their dream retirement condo in paradise!   We're also hopeful that we can find one of those buyers who will be willing to meet our price!

My wife and I have bought and sold six homes. When buying we always offer what we think the home is worth and that is normally far less than the seller is asking. Our experience has always been that when the seller counters, the price we end up paying is exactly half-way between the initial asking price and our initial offer. And when selling if we counter, the final price is also half-way between the two prices.

If I learn that the other side is offended by my offer or counter-offer, my interest in the deal is reduced. This tells me that the other side is too emotional rather than businesslike. Buying and selling homes are business transactions. Far too often, an emotional seller will remove things like the chandelier that is a family heirloom. Emotional buyers often make unreasonable demands. Of course, being “offended” can be a negotiating tactic. On the other hand, I saw the seller of our current home almost in tears over the deal.

When the seller gets an offer, the decision should be based on things like how many more house payments will be required if the offer is rejected, are the terms of the deal acceptable, and how likely is it that a better offer will be received.

Robert

-- Edited by Retired Guy at 11:43, 2008-09-14

Well, I thought I'd update you as to where things are at.  Right now we have a signed contract with the buyer - but still need to get through inspections and appraisals.  We came down on the price and they ended up coming up a little.  Where we wanted to be?  No, but the advice on this forum was taken to heart and we looked at the cost of the mortgage, taxes, snow plowing, utilities, and everything else we'd be paying until at least next spring or until the next offer came in (and there haven't been people lining up making offers )  We feel good about it, and are hoping that everything is going to work out  - please keep us in your thoughts!

I do think it was the buyer's realtor that was causing the problem.  After some slow negotiations, we were waiting for a response on a counter offer we made.   We received a call that the buyers were coming through for a second look.  Their realtor also told our realtor that they were going to be looking at several other properties as well.  Realtors always tell you not to be there for the showing and in most cases I agree, but this time we decided to stay.  We wanted to meet the buyers and be available for any questions.  Since the negotiations obviously weren't going our way, we decided 'what the heck? what can it hurt?'  Seems to me that it's harder to be unreasonable in negotiations if you've met the people you are working with.   So we stayed and met the potential buyers - they were very nice and did have a lot of questions and stayed for quite awhile.  Their realtor stood by, very tight lipped and we learned that they were not seeing any other properties.  Later that afternoon, we received a more reasonable offer and we were able to come to agreement.

Our fingers are crossed!

Well, the deal fell through.  They couldn't get financing - big surprise in the current state of economic affairs.  Our contract with the realtor ends October 6, so we are going to try BuyOwner.com through the winter.  We don't want to show an incredibly long market time on our house in the MLS with a history of price reductions, so we will probably wait until spring to relist with an agent.   Unless of course, a miracle happens and we can sell it buy owner in this horrible market!

If anyone has experience with FSBO sites - I'd love to hear them.  Right now BuyOwner.com looks the best to us and they market heavily in our area.

Sorry to hear your deal fell through.  Todays market is just not helping with it either. Back in 1996 when we bought our home in N.M. (a home we no longer have) several couples wanted to buy it but could not even get the financing then.  Things happen for reasons sometimes.
southwestjudy