How to Write a Strong Counteroffer When Selling Your Home in St. George

Receiving a lowball offer when selling your home in St. George can be frustrating, especially if you’ve priced it fairly and put effort into preparing it for the market. However, instead of reacting emotionally or rejecting it outright, it’s important to handle the situation strategically. A low offer doesn’t necessarily mean the buyer isn’t serious—it could be an opportunity to negotiate and get closer to a price you’re happy with.

We have some tips for how to respond effectively with an appealing counteroffer when you receive a low offer on your home, and we'll be with you to guide you with the specifics of your scenario, too. 

Be Aware of Your Emotions

One of the hardest parts of selling your home is keeping your emotions in check. It's normal to feel strongly about the value of your home, and even get a little defensive when you receive a low offer, but that won't be helpful to reaching your goals. 

It’s natural to feel offended or frustrated by an offer that seems far below your home’s value, but remember that real estate is a business transaction and emotional reactions can hurt your ability to negotiate. Take a deep breath, assess the situation objectively, and remember that every offer is a starting point.

Don't Reject the Offer Right Away

Even if the initial offer seems far too low, outright rejecting it eliminates the chance for negotiation. Unless you have another offer at the same time that is a great option, it might be a bad idea to reject it right away. Instead, use the opportunity to keep the conversation going and counteroffer with a price that’s more reasonable for both of you.

Consider the Buyer's Perspective

Try to determine why the buyer made such a low offer. Some common reasons include:

• They’re testing the waters to see how motivated you are.
• They might not be well-informed about the local market.
• They could be investors or cash buyers looking for a deal.
• They may have financial limitations but still love your home.

We can help gather insights about the buyer’s situation to determine whether they’re worth negotiating with.

Look at More Than the Offer Price

Sometimes, an offer seems way too low until you look at the other features of it. The purchase price is only one part of the puzzle. In many cases, when buyers are choosing between multiple offers, the best choice ends up not being the highest offer but the one that best aligns with your timeline, preferences, and risk tolerance. 

Price is important, but there are other factors to consider that may make an offer more attractive:

• All-cash offers can close faster and with fewer contingencies.
• A flexible closing date might align with your moving plans.
• A strong earnest money deposit shows serious intent.
• Fewer contingencies (like inspections or financing) can mean a smoother transaction.

Even if the offer is low, these factors could make the deal worthwhile in some situations.

Writing a Strong Counteroffer

With all of the above things in mind, here's what you might include in a strong counteroffer:

• The most obvious aspect of a counteroffer is the price. If the buyer’s offer is too low, you’ll want to counter with a price that reflects your home’s true market value, while still leaving room for negotiation. We will help you determine what makes sense based on the current market conditions and your urgency to sell. 
• Buyers often request seller concessions, such as help covering closing costs. While this might not be ideal, it can be a useful negotiation tool if it helps finalize the deal at a strong price. Consider where you might be willing to bend to make the deal work for everyone. 
• A buyer’s earnest money deposit (typically 1-3% of the purchase price) shows they’re serious about purchasing your home. If the deposit seems low, you can request a higher amount in your counteroffer to ensure they have more at stake. 
• Be careful about which contingencies you'll accept. The fewer contingencies, the smoother and faster the sale—so prioritize reducing them where possible.
• Some buyers need a quick closing, while others may need extra time. If you have a preferred closing date, include it in your counteroffer. However, if flexibility works in your favor, you can use this as a negotiation point.
• If you’ve received multiple offers or expect more interest, let the buyer know you’re considering other offers. This can encourage them to improve their offer while keeping your options open in case negotiations stall.

Based on our years of experience in this market, we can help you craft the right counteroffer for your unique scenario with some of all of these factors in it. When you're ready to learn more about selling your home, we're ready to help you reach your goals. Contact us any time to find out what the market value of your home is, or how we can help.