Embarking on the home selling journey is a huge undertaking which can be stressful at times. When an offer is submitted for your property, you may feel pressured to accept to keep the process rolling. However, it’s beneficial to review instances when it may be best to decline an offer, so you can maximize your earnings.
The housing market in your city or town is a major factor in the property selling journey. If you're selling your residence in a buyer's market, you likely face steep competition, meaning you may have to make adjustments to the price of your listing or be more open to a variety of offers.
Comparatively, if you're operating in a seller's market, there’s an abundance of buyers and a shortage of sellers in place. With these conditions it may be more beneficial to decline an undesirable offer as other potential buyers may submit a more favorable offer.
Before listing your home, it’s vital to examine your home’s strengths and weaknesses to get a better understanding of how these may tie into the offers you may receive.
For example, if your home is newly renovated and is located near popular attractions, it may be best to decline a low offer as these positive aspects of your home are more likely to draw in other potential buyers who may offer more.
When in doubt, it’s best to consult a real estate agent, who can provide professional guidance on whether an offer is best accepted or left on the table. They can compare market trends and similar homes being sold in your area to help you determine if an offer is fair or falls short of expectation.
Even though the decision to accept or decline an offer for your home can be tough, doing research and relying on expert advice can help guide your choice.
Lana Harris is a Chicago native who is a second-generation real estate professional. She was introduced to real estate at a very young age while attending open houses with her mother who is a broker. She honed her skills assisting in property searches (back in the thick, Multiple Listing Service book days,) and using map reading skills to help plan property tour sequencing. Lana’s love of working with people and delivering strong customer service led her to the retail sector, where she developed her management skills at MC Sports, Ann Taylor, and Adidas. She and her husband moved to Utah in 2008 to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains, and she began her real estate career here in 2015. Most recently, she was a VP of sales for a large team; she thrives on challenges and is determined to overcome obstacles to achieve results for her clients. Lana and her husband enjoy their three large dogs, skiing, camping and paddleboarding.
