Fielding a Lowball Purchase Offer on Your Home

How to Handle a Lowball Offer on Your Home

Stay Strategic, Not Emotional — and Turn a Low Offer into a Better Deal

Imagine this: you’ve spent weeks preparing your home, it’s finally on the market, and then the first offer comes in… but it’s tens of thousands below your asking price. Ouch.

Lowball offers are more common than many Minnesota homeowners expect — especially in shifting markets or when buyers are testing seller motivation. But a low offer doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker. In fact, it’s often the starting point for a successful sale.

Step 1: Don’t Take It Personally

As someone who’s helped hundreds of sellers across the Twin Cities navigate offers — from fair to frustrating — I can’t stress this enough: keep your cool. Buyers may be gauging your flexibility, reacting to market headlines, or simply aiming low to see what happens. It doesn’t necessarily reflect their true willingness to pay.

Step 2: Evaluate the Full Offer

Before rejecting it outright, consider the full picture:

  • Are they offering cash? That could mean fewer hurdles and a faster closing.
  • Are the contingencies minimal? Less risk for you.
  • Are they flexible on your move-out timeline? That may save you money or stress.

If the price is low but the terms are strong, it may still be a deal worth countering.

Step 3: Make a Smart Counter

Countering with confidence is key. I typically recommend:

  • Reiterating your asking price (if it’s supported by comps)
  • Highlighting recent upgrades or market activity that justify your value
  • Remaining open to negotiation — just not giving in immediately

As your listing agent, I help you craft counteroffers that keep the conversation alive and protect your bottom line — without scaring away serious buyers.

Real-Life Example

A client of mine in Maple Grove listed at $479,900 and received an initial offer of $440,000. Understandably, they were frustrated. But we reviewed comps, responded at $470,000 with solid justification — and after a few rounds, landed at $465,000. That buyer just needed education and structure. We got the deal done, and both sides were happy.

Need Help Evaluating Offers?

Deciding how to respond to any offer — low or high — is where experience counts. I help sellers weigh not just price, but terms, timing, and real buyer motivation to get the best overall deal.

💡 Visit my Seller Resources Hub
✉ Send me your questions or request a consultation here

Joe Houghton
Broker Associate | RE/MAX Results
Founder – Minnesota Property Group
📞 (763) 300-2702
🌐 www.mnpropertygroup.com

Location: Maple Grove, MN, USA

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