When the Offer Feels Like an Insult
You've priced your home fairly. You've set your sights on a reasonable number. Then someone comes in with an offer that's way below what you expected — maybe 10% under asking, maybe more.
It's frustrating. It can feel personal. But before you reject it outright, consider this: a lowball offer is still an offer. And in a buyer's market especially, offers don't grow on trees. The selling process always involves negotiation, and a low bid is better than no bid.
Your goal is to get the most money possible for your home. A lowball offer doesn't change that — it just means negotiation time has started.
What Counts as a Lowball Offer?
A lowball offer is one that's significantly below your asking price or what you expected. In real estate, that usually means around 10% less than the listed market price.
The term can also mean giving a false estimate on purpose, but in this context it's simpler: it's an offer that feels too low to take seriously.
Why They're Doing It
Most buyers making a lowball offer aren't actually expecting you to accept it. They're using it to start negotiations or to test the waters — to see how you value your home and whether you're motivated to sell.
Sometimes a buyer has the upper hand (like in a buyer's market) and wants room to negotiate up. Other times they're trying to encourage you to sell quickly, especially if they think you need to move fast.
In a tight housing market where you already have the edge, a lowball strategy might backfire on them. But if the market's soft, it can be an effective opening move.
Your Options When You Get One
Step one: stop focusing on the lowball itself and focus on the bigger goal — selling your house. Getting an offer, even a low one, means someone's interested and ready to negotiate.
There are all kinds of reasons a buyer might start low. Maybe it's a good-faith gesture that they won't overpay. Maybe they think your home is priced too high. Either way, they're at the table, and that's what matters.
Don't be alarmed by a low opening bid. It's just the start of a conversation.
How to Counter Without Losing Ground
Always respond with a counteroffer, no matter how low the buyer came in. You have a few strategies to choose from.
One approach: counter at your absolute lowest and final price — the number you're willing to accept. This cuts down on back-and-forth and signals you're serious.
Another tactic: counter right back at your original asking price. This tells the buyer you're not interested in games and won't budge for an insulting offer. The risk? It might scare them off entirely.
The best move depends on your situation, the market, and how motivated you are to sell. Talk it through with your real estate agent to make sure you're getting the most out of the sale without leaving money on the table.
