Dear So and So

[bmccasland]

Yep. I sold my house last year for far less than I paid for it in 2002. I at least didn't have to bring money to the table, but it was still a bitter pill to swallow. I remember the feeling in the pit of my stomach when my realtor explained that homes had lost roughly 25% of their value since the market high.

It's all about the sold comps in your area. I know it's hard to accept, but what you paid or put into it, just isn't all that relevant from a market analysis standpoint. That's not to suggest the offer was reasonable; only that the best way to arm (or brace) yourself is with a careful review of what's sold in your area within the last 6 months. Hopefully, your realtor has already done that for you, but I know some realtors just arent' being as frank as they arguably should be with their clients.

The offer was unreasonably low according to my agent. She priced the house $15K less than we listed it for last fall because of the comps. The buyer's agent has a reputation for making very low offers, apparently giving her clients the expectation that their offers are reasonable, when in reality they aren't.

I countered the offer, and it was turned down. Considering the house has only been on the market for a week, I don't feel obligated to accept an extremely low offer.

[indysteel]

The offer was unreasonably low according to my agent. She priced the house $15K less than we listed it for last fall because of the comps. The buyer's agent has a reputation for making very low offers, apparently giving her clients the expectation that their offers are reasonable, when in reality they aren't.

I countered the offer, and it was turned down. Considering the house has only been on the market for a week, I don't feel obligated to accept an extremely low offer.

Beth, I didn't suggest that you should feel obligated to accept it, which is why I stated "that's not to say that the offer was reasonable." FWIW, I didn't accept the first offer I got on my former house either because it was unreasonably low.

But I still agree with Jess. Don't take a low ball offer personally. It's a tactic; nothing more, nothing less. While I think a buyer's agent should encourage their clients to make reasonable offers based on object market data, I also appreciate that they think they have nothing to lose by making a low ball offer either. The fact that they didn't respond to your counter suggests to me that they were at the top of their budget and made a low offer because that's all they could afford.

I've been on both sides of this in the last year and understand the emotion involved. All I can suggest is to study and restudy the market data and be prepared to present that data when you respond to an offer. IME, buyers are overly emotional about this too because all they hear on the news every day is how bad home values are; it's sometimes hard to convince them that they aren't going to get a home they actually want to live in for peanuts.

[tangentgirl]

Did this person figure you were an expert in foul language?

Maybe.

We were talking about what you'd have to exclude, and he was like, ugh, just give me a list! He was pretty mortified when I handed it to him. It's not like I went out of my way to be extra-creative or anything. Just a little bit.

I pinned it to my cubical wall when he was done with it. I wonder if I still have it in a box somwhere. Hmm.

[tangentgirl]

Beth, it's just business. As a matter of fact, I'd guess that it's literally business, someone thinking they can buy low sell high and flip something like that. Hello, 2007 called...

[Veronica]

Dear Parents;

I know it's Teacher Appreciation Week and you probably feel obligated to buy me something. In all seriousness, I do not need or want chocolate, or cookies or little trinkets. If you feel compelled to give me something, a nice card with a heartfelt note written by your child will mean more to me. Even if you coach them in what to say.

Use that money to get tissues for my classroom or pre-sharpened pencils. Do you know how many of your little darlings are suffering from allergies? And I think your children eat wood and graphite.

Veronica

[Biciclista]

Dear Veronica
you mean you don't need a mug with an apple painted on it?

[snapdragen]

Dear gall bladder. I told you to STFU. Why didn't you listen?