Receiving a lowball offer when selling your home can feel like a punch to the gut. You’ve invested time, money, and emotion into your property — and now someone is offering far below your asking price. But before reacting emotionally or rejecting the offer outright, it's important to approach it strategically.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), almost 40% of home sellers in competitive markets receive at least one offer below their asking price.
Handling lowball offers professionally can often lead to a successful sale — if you play your cards right.

Here’s how to stay in control and negotiate like a pro.

1. Stay Calm and Professional

It’s natural to feel insulted, but responding emotionally can cost you a potential sale.
Instead, view every offer as an opportunity to negotiate. Even a lowball offer shows genuine interest.

✅ Tip:

• Take a deep breath before responding.

• Thank the buyer for their offer to keep communication open.

Pro Insight: Sellers who maintain professionalism are 30% more likely to successfully close after receiving a low offer, according to a 2023 Zillow survey.

2. Understand the Buyer’s Motivation

Low offers often come with hidden motivations — not always disrespect.
Maybe the buyer genuinely believes the home needs updates, or they're testing how negotiable you are.

✅ Smart questions to ask your agent:

• Is the buyer serious or just fishing for a deal?

• Are there contingencies that show commitment (e.g., pre-approval, large earnest deposit)?

Understanding the "why" behind the offer can help you craft a smart counteroffer.

3. Review Market Data Before Reacting

Sometimes sellers price their homes emotionally rather than based on market realities.
Before rejecting the offer, review comparable sales ("comps") to confirm your price is competitive.

✅ Things to check:

• Recent sales of similar homes in your area

• Current days on market (DOM) trends

• Local price reductions over the past 30-60 days

According to Redfin, homes priced within 2% of market value are 50% more likely to sell within the first month.

4. Craft a Strategic Counteroffer

Rather than simply rejecting a lowball offer, make a counteroffer that invites serious negotiation.

✅ Counteroffer smartly by:

• Slightly reducing your price (even a small reduction can keep buyers engaged)

• Offering minor credits (e.g., for cosmetic repairs)

• Setting clear deadlines to create urgency

Pro Tip: A well-structured counteroffer shows you're open to negotiation without signaling desperation.

5. Know When to Walk Away

Not every lowball offer is worth salvaging.
If the buyer won’t come close to a reasonable price, or is adding unrealistic demands, it’s okay to move on.

✅ Walk away if:

• The offer is far below fair market value, even after countering.

• The buyer isn’t pre-approved for a mortgage.

• They ask for excessive repairs or credits beyond reason.

Reminder: Protecting your bottom line is just as important as closing quickly.

Final Thoughts

Lowball offers don’t have to be deal-breakers.
By staying calm, understanding buyer motivations, reviewing market data, crafting smart counteroffers, and knowing your limits, you can turn a disappointing offer into a winning deal — without losing your cool or your sale.

Remember: Negotiation is part of the process. Handle it like a pro, and you’ll come out ahead.