http://www.trulia.com/voices/Market_Conditions/I_ve_always_heard_that_to_offer_less_than_of_the-29328market, is there a new number that's higher - offering 30% less, for example? Thanks.en-ushttp://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Rancho_Mirage_CA-48977/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Rancho_Mirage_CA-48977/Hi Jesse, I always encourage my clients to respond to all offers. I have been on both sides of the transaction several times and have never used a percentage to qualify an offer for being good or a bad one. An offer is an offer and we should detach emotional feelings from it. It is a business transaction and the response should reflect that. Hope this help. Leonardo.Sat, 05 Apr 2008 14:20:12 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-02038-88494/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-02038-88494/I agree with everyone else..First,check comps to see what the house is really worth. Do not go buy the listed price.Find out how long the house has been on the market, and whether there are multiple offers. Above all , use a knowledgable realtor with good negotiation skills. Visit my website for further information.Sat, 05 Apr 2008 13:39:46 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-01803-138929/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-01803-138929/Each house is unique and so is its price. Imagine if a house was way overpriced, and you offer them 30% less but even at that price it's still overpriced. On the other hand, if a house is priced slightly below market value (what similar properties sold for in last few months) would they really take 30% less? A house in a town I do work just went under agreement in 3 days. Buyer;s market? How about 20 showings and multiple offers in 2 days, they didn't even have time to hold an open house. The point is, if a propery is priced low enaugh (and 30% lower than asking price would definitely make it priced "low enaugh" unless the list price was way over market value) then it's not a buyer's market at all.Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:00:23 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-North_Carolina-151656/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-North_Carolina-151656/Jesse, You hear a lot of things in our business! Most are created by realtors/brokers who nothing better to do. Have your realtor conduct a market analysis, determine the current value of the property in todays market. Take into consideration (1) how badly you want this property (2) does it met most or all of your requirements (3) how much is on the inventory in your area (4) the forclosures/bank owned situation in your market. After you do these fairly simply checks, make an offer. How much depends on the answers above. Generally, most sellers don't expect to receive asking price in todays market. If they are not in a hurry, and they know they have a great property - don't expect much. But always start lower than asking. Best of luck Marian Schaffer The Schaffer Realty Group 877-886-8388 www.marianschafferrealty.com terry@marianschaffer.comSat, 05 Apr 2008 11:56:24 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Fairfax_VA-115570/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Fairfax_VA-115570/There's no magic number, either in the past or today. Offering 20% less may result in a great buy (if accepted), or--if the property's overpriced--may not be a good deal at all. Same with 30%. As other agents will advise, first you need to know the comps. List price means very little; it may or may not be close to the real market value. Good agents will set the list price at or slightly below the comps, but there are a lot of other agents out there, and a lot of owners looking for yesterday's higher prices. So, don't focus on the list price. Focus on comps--the recently solds. Second, regarding "insulting the owner," get over it. So what? You come in low, and the owner has 3 choices: (1) accept, (2) counter, or (3) reject. If he accepts, fine. (Except that means you could have gotten it for less.) If he counters, fine; that means you're in the ballpark. And if he rejects, then you move on. You're not competing for Miss Congeniality. You're trying to buy a house. Base your offer on the comps, and then, if you wish, go below those.Sat, 05 Apr 2008 11:37:56 -0700