Ask your Realtor to find out about the property. If it's been opn the market for more than ayear you have to find out why. Maybe they don't really want to sell they just like to have nice people come through and admire their home. But if you find out that they do want ot sell really what do they want? If it's more than market value and you want the property you can pay it. It doesn't ahve to be based on what you can afford, it's based on what do they want for it and what are you willing to pay for it.
The probability of the seller acceptinig an offer for less than what they are asking depends completly on theri motivation, that's what your Realtor needs to find, their motivation.
Good luck

Please work with a Realtor in your area. Find out what Fair Market Value is for the home first, then find out the sellers' motivation for selling. Try to offer approx. 5% less than FMV

Becky have your buyer agent do a full history on the home. The seller may have been priced much much higher 399 days ago and has been adjusting to catch up with the market. Your buyer agent can also run the area for sales to justify your lower offer. Keep in mind every seller has a different situation so it's hard to know what will be accepted.

You should also check with your lender and see if they can bump you a bit more if you get countered. Also check to see what your lender was using for taxes when they approved you, they may have used a higher tax number, which will bump you up a bit too. But right now in Michigan $9000 does not sound to low for a starting offer.

Cindy Knight
Realty Executives e-Group

In my area of Michigan, we have seen a many offers come in that amount less than asking price. It is up to the seller as to what they are willing/able to accept. If you are not working with a Realtor, find a Buyer Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) to work with. That Realtor can do a search for you as to accual days on the market and what the market will bear in $s for that type property.

It's appropriate to offer whatever you think it's worth. Compare sales data with your Realtor. If it's been on the market that long it was overpriced or they are not motivated. It's also helpful to have the sales price history since they put it on the market.