Getting a low offer on your home stings. That’s just the truth. You’ve put time, money, and a lot of yourself into the place, and then someone comes in with a number that feels almost insulting.
I get it. But here’s the piece of advice I give every seller I work with, and it’s also the hardest one to actually follow in the moment: never close the door.
The instinct to say no is almost always the wrong move
When an offer comes in lower than you expected, the emotional response is to reject it and move on. But what that actually does is end the conversation entirely, and conversations are where deals get made.
A low opening offer doesn’t mean a buyer isn’t serious. It often means they’re testing the water. It means they want to negotiate. And in my experience, a lot of buyers who start low end up landing somewhere very reasonable once both sides actually talk.
Your agent should always, always recommend a counteroffer. Even if the number feels like a non-starter. Because the moment you counter, you stay in the game.
Price is only one piece of a real estate contract
This is something most sellers don’t fully realize until they’re already sitting at the table: an offer is not just a number. It’s a collection of terms, and many of them are negotiable.
Closing date, contingencies, what stays with the home, inspection terms, repairs, credits at closing. There’s a lot in a contract, and each item is a potential point of leverage.
My honest recommendation is to sit down with your agent before you ever receive an offer and go through a standard contract together. Know what’s in there. Know what you’re willing to move on and what you’re not. That way, when an offer does come in, you’re not scrambling or reacting emotionally. You already have a strategy.
The sellers who do best are the ones who stay in the conversation
The goal isn’t to win the negotiation. The goal is to get to the closing table with terms you feel good about. And that almost never happens if you shut things down before they have a chance to develop.
Stay at the table. Counter. Know your contract. That’s where deals actually happen.
Thinking about selling in Palm Beach County? Let’s talk before you list. A little preparation upfront makes every step of the process smoother, including the negotiation. Reach out and let’s build a strategy together.
Send me a message or give me a call. I’d love to be in your corner.
Sophie Daverio
561-809-2216
Realtor®, REAL Broker, LLC
Proactive.Responsive.Expert
MBA.English.French
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Sophie Daverio | Lake Worth, Boynton, Delray Beach, Palm Beach County Real Estate agent 
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