I fiund a home that I am Interested in but price seem really high for the area

Jeff, before you decide whether to lowball, run one check that takes your agent about ten minutes and settles the question: pull the property's own price history and the sold-to-original-list ratio for the neighborhood. Overpriced is not a feeling. It is a measurement, and those two numbers make it. Here is what to ask for. The subject's history. When was it first listed, at what price, has it been reduced, has it been withdrawn and relisted. A house listed at 340 in February, reduced to 325 in April, and still sitting, is telling you exactly where the market said no. A house listed nine days ago at a price you dislike is telling you nothing yet. The neighborhood's ratio. Take the last several closed sales in the immediate area and compare what each one closed at against its original list price, not its final list price. If homes there are closing at 96 or 97 percent of original list, sellers are pricing near the market and a big discount is unlikely. If they are closing at 90 or 91 percent, the whole area lists high and negotiates down, and your offer is normal rather than insulting. That second number is the one that answers your question. Your agent said lowball, and in a market where everyone lists high and settles low, that is not aggressive, it is just how business is done there. In a market where things close at asking, the same offer wastes your shot. One thing to be careful about. Price per square foot is the metric everyone reaches for and it is the least reliable one, especially in a smaller market. It ignores lot size, condition, age, updates, garage, and whether the square footage is even measured the same way. Two houses on the same street can be twenty percent apart per foot for entirely legitimate reasons. Use the actual comparable sales with photos, not the average. Now, if the house genuinely is overpriced and you still want it, the more effective tool is not a low number. It is the appraisal contingency. If the seller is above market, the appraisal is likely to come in below the contract price, and that is a third-party opinion doing your arguing for you. So you can offer closer to the ask, keep a firm appraisal contingency, and negotiate again when the appraisal lands. That approach wins houses that lowball offers lose, and it protects you from overpaying anyway. The risk is that in a competitive situation the seller prefers a buyer who waives or partially covers an appraisal gap, so know whether you are competing before you choose. Two reassurances about making an offer that feels too low. Your offer generally has to be delivered to the seller, and a written offer at any price gets presented. And the worst realistic outcome is a no or a counter. Sellers who feel insulted counter anyway more often than people expect, because they want to sell. What actually costs you the house is an offer with weak terms, a shaky preapproval, or a slow response, not a low number delivered politely with your reasoning attached. That last part matters. Write the offer with a short cover note and the three or four comparable sales you based it on. An offer that shows its work reads as a serious buyer with a rationale. The identical number with no explanation reads as a tire kicker. Same money, completely different reception. I am a real estate professional in Los Angeles and the South Bay, so Hartsville is not my market and your agent has the local data I do not. Ask for those two numbers, though, and you will not have to take anyone's word for it. If you want a second opinion locally, I am glad to help you find one. My name is Zoltan Peresztegi. Zoltan

A “low ball” offer isn’t automatically a good or bad idea—it depends on how overpriced the home is and what the local market is doing. Here’s how to think about it: ### When a lower offer can make sense • The home is clearly priced above recent comparable sales • It has been sitting on the market without strong interest • There are condition issues that justify adjustments • The seller may be motivated or need to sell quickly In those cases, offering below asking (based on data, not emotion) can be a reasonable starting point. ### When it can backfire • In a competitive or low-inventory market, very low offers can be ignored • If the home is still getting showings or multiple offers • If the price is actually aligned with recent sales (even if it “feels high”) In those situations, a low offer may not even get a response. ### A better strategy than just “low balling” Instead of going low just because it feels expensive, your agent should help you: • Review recent comparable sales (not just active listings) • Determine a realistic market value range • Decide on a **strong but justified offer price** • Use terms (closing date, contingencies, flexibility) to strengthen your offer if price is lower ### Key takeaway A smart offer isn’t about going low—it’s about being **defensible with market data**. Sellers respond much better to offers that are clearly backed by comps than aggressive numbers without support. If your agent is suggesting a lower offer, ask them to show you exactly how they arrived at that price range so you know it’s strategic, not just a guess.

When a price seems high for the area, the first thing to do is pull recent comparable sales, not listings. Listing prices reflect seller hopes; closed sales reflect what buyers actually paid. In South Carolina and across the Southeast, pricing gaps between asking price and market value can widen quickly in areas where inventory is thin and sellers are testing the market. The standard approach is to look at closed sales within the past 90 days, within a half-mile radius when possible, for homes with similar square footage, lot size, and condition. If those comps support a lower value, you have a factual basis for a lower offer or for walking away. Ask your agent to run a comparative market analysis on that specific address before you write an offer. If the home has been sitting on market for 30 or more days without a price reduction, that is additional evidence the market already agrees with your instinct. In competitive Southeast markets, some sellers price high and wait, while others price correctly and close fast. Understanding which situation you are in shapes your negotiation strategy. You are not obligated to pay more than comparable value supports. Buying based on solid comps rather than asking price is how you protect yourself going into a purchase. Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells

Lowballing just for the sake of it usually backfires. If the home is overpriced, then yes, you should come in lower. But it needs to be justified, not random. Look at recent comparable sales. If similar homes are selling for less, that’s your leverage. Here’s the rule. If it’s been sitting on the market with no activity, you have room to be aggressive. If it’s new or getting attention, a lowball offer can get ignored completely. A better approach is this. Make a clean, strong offer at a price that makes sense based on the comps. Not emotional, not guessing. You don’t win by being the lowest. You win by being the one that makes sense to the seller.

Great question. The first thing I’d look at is the data—has your agent pulled comparable sales to show how this home is priced relative to others that have recently sold in the area? That’s going to give you a much clearer picture of whether it’s actually overpriced or if there’s something about the home justifying the price. While it’s true that a seller can ask whatever they want and a buyer can offer whatever they want, the strongest negotiations are backed by numbers. A well-supported offer not only helps you make a smart decision, but also gives your agent something solid to present and justify to the listing agent. “Lowballing” without context can sometimes hurt your chances, but a strategic offer based on comparable sales and market conditions puts you in a much better position to find that middle ground.

Your agent should be able to pull comparables for you to see and from those ascertain the most likely sales price of that home. Your offer should be in line with those comparables. If you intend to purchase with a mortgage, it is important that the home appraise as high as your offer price. The bank will not lend more than the appraisal.

Your agent is not wrong that the data supports a lower offer, but how you get there matters as much as the number itself. A lowball offer without context can offend a seller into not negotiating at all, even if your instincts on the price are completely correct. The stronger move is a data driven offer. Pull the recent comparable sales in that immediate area, look at the price per square foot, and let the numbers tell the story. If the home is genuinely overpriced relative to what has actually sold nearby, you have a legitimate case to make and you can present your offer with that evidence attached. That approach comes across as informed rather than insulting and keeps the conversation going. A few other things worth looking at before you write anything. How long has the home been sitting on the market? A house that has been listed for 60 or 90 days with no offers tells you the seller already knows there is a pricing problem and is more likely to move. Has it had any price reductions? That is another signal they are motivated. And are there any obvious condition issues that would support a lower number beyond just comps? If the home is overpriced by 10 to 15 percent and the data backs it up, a well supported offer at fair market value is not a lowball, it is just an honest offer. Come in with the comps, keep the tone respectful, and give the seller a clear reason to counter rather than walk away.

A low offer can work, but only if it’s strategic, not just a reaction to the price feeling high. What really matters is what the data shows. Your agent should be looking at recent comparable sales, how long similar homes are sitting on the market, and whether prices are trending up or down. If the home has been on the market a while, has had price reductions, or the condition doesn’t match the asking price, then coming in lower can make sense and may even be expected. But if the home is new, priced correctly, or in high demand, a lowball offer can backfire by turning the seller off or getting ignored altogether. A better approach is to make a justified offer, one that’s supported by comps, condition, and market conditions, so even if it’s below asking, it feels reasonable and not random. And the biggest thing to keep in mind is this: if you really love the home, you don’t want to risk losing it over a number that wasn’t carefully thought out, but if you’re okay walking away, then you have more room to negotiate aggressively.

Hi Jeff Yes, it can be a good idea to make a lower offer if the price is clearly high for the area, but it should be done strategically — not randomly. The biggest factors are how long the home has been on the market, whether there have been price reductions, how it compares to recent similar sales, and how motivated the seller appears to be. Days on market makes a big difference. If the property is new to the market, the seller may not be flexible yet. But if it has been sitting, that gives you more room to negotiate. The best move is to have your agent run a full comp analysis and submit the offer with clear justification based on comparable sales, market conditions, condition of the property, and time on market. A strong offer is not just about being low — it is about being supportable. When the offer is backed by real data and presented the right way, it has a much better chance of being taken seriously and opening the door to negotiation.

It is not a good idea to offer more than the home will appraise for particularly if you intend to purchase with a mortgage. Banks will not lend you more than the appraisal amount. In that event you would either have to get the seller to reduce the price or you would have to pay the difference at closing. You should ask your agent to run comparables and derive a likely sales price from those comps. That number should be your target purchase price and inform your initial offer. If that is low ball than yes you should do it. Your agent can also ask the listing agent to share their comps to see how they decided on the list price.

Short answer: maybe—but only if it’s strategic. A low offer without context can actually hurt your chances more than help. 1. Confirm it’s truly overpriced Look at recent comparable sales. If similar homes sold for less, you may have room to negotiate. 2. Understand the seller’s position Some sellers expect negotiation—others won’t even respond to a low offer. Timing and motivation matter. 3. Think “data-backed,” not “lowball” The strongest offers are supported by market data, not just a number you hope sticks. 4. Strengthen your terms If your price is lower, make your offer more attractive in other ways—clean terms, flexibility, strong financing. The goal isn’t to go as low as possible—it’s to get the home at the right price without losing the deal. As a REALTOR®, I’ve found that well-positioned offers win far more often than aggressive ones.

Every property is unique, and every listing agent will price it in their specific way based on a meeting of the minds with their seller client. Unfortunately, a weak listing agent may not be able to convince their client to price a home to sell right away or at fair market value. A good rule of thumb if you want to offer less than the list price is to evaluate the days on market. Homes that have just been listed aren't likely to accept less than their list price during the initial 2-3 weeks of market time. However, if a home has been on the market longer than 21 days and not recently reduced, making a below list price offer can be quite successful. As always, the quality of the agent making the low offer and their ability to educate the weaker listing agent can make all the difference as to the success of the below list price offer.

When a home seems overpriced for the area, I would not automatically say to ‘lowball,’ but I would absolutely want my offer grounded in the market. The right move depends on recent comparable sales, days on market, condition, seller motivation, and how competitive that area is. If the data supports a lower price, then submitting an offer below asking can be a smart and justified strategy. The key is making an offer that is defensible, not just aggressive. A well-supported offer gives you a better chance of protecting your money while still keeping the seller engaged.

your agent should be able to tell you if the home is overpriced for its peers. unless the home does not have easy ways to comp with other market homes. just lowballing without knowing better details as to why seems like short sighted advice. has your agent asked seller agent how they came to their asking price ? how long has home been on the market ?? this one seems to need more info

Not a good Idea in this market. Prices are high everywhere. However, in your market in SC it is totally different than the Northeast. Prices are not rising as rapidly there as up north. But the buyer sets the price. Listen to your realtor as they are the experts and know their market. Good Luck

I found a home I’m interested in, but the price seems high. Should I “lowball” the seller? Short answer: sometimes, but only if the data supports it. A blind lowball can hurt you more than help you. Here’s how to approach it the right way: First, confirm it’s actually overpriced Before thinking about strategy, make sure your assumption is correct. Look at: Recent sold comps (not just active listings) Days on market for similar homes Price reductions on competing properties If the data shows it’s overpriced, then you have leverage. If not, a low offer can backfire. Timing matters more than people think A “lowball” works best when the seller is already feeling pressure. Good opportunities: Property has been sitting with little activity Multiple price reductions already It came back on the market after a failed deal Bad opportunities: Just listed High showing activity Seller clearly testing the market Understand how sellers interpret low offers Most sellers don’t see a low offer as “strategy.” They see it as: Not serious Fishing for a deal Someone they don’t want to negotiate with That doesn’t mean don’t go low. It means don’t go in blindly without a reason. A better approach than “lowballing” Instead of throwing out a number, anchor your offer to something real: “Based on recent sales, we’re seeing value closer to X…” “Given the condition and time on market, this is where we’re comfortable…” Now it’s not a lowball. It’s a data-backed position. Build your leverage into the terms If you want to come in below asking, strengthen your offer elsewhere: Clean terms (fewer contingencies) Flexible closing timeline Strong deposit Solid pre-approval or proof of funds A weaker price can still win if the overall offer feels strong. In smaller markets: Fewer buyers, but also fewer comparable sales Pricing can vary more from property to property Sellers may be less reactive to low offers if they’re not under pressure That means strategy matters more than just the number you throw out. Bottom line: Lowballing isn’t a strategy by itself. It’s a tactic that only works when the situation supports it. If the property is truly overpriced and sitting, go in strong but justified. If it’s priced close to market, a lowball can cost you the deal entirely.

Trust your instincts, but verify them with "Active Stagnation" data. In 2026, a home is truly overpriced if it has exceeded the average Days on Market (DOM) for that specific zip code without a price correction. Have your agent run a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) that filters for "expired" or "withdrawn" listings; often, a high price in a modest area reflects a seller who is "pricing from memory" of the 2021 boom rather than today’s appraisal realities.

Lowballing can work, but only if it’s backed by data—like recent comparable sales showing the home is overpriced. If you go too low without justification, you risk turning the seller off and losing leverage. A strategic offer slightly below market (not extreme) is usually the smarter move.

Your agent can pull "comparable sales data" for the area to give you the most accurate information so you can make a wise decision on an offering price. Do you LOVE the home? Has it been nicely updated compared to others in the area? How many days has the property been on the market? All of these should factor into how you decide what to offer the seller. I wish you the best!

It is important to know the neighborhood data. Instead of just "lowballing" for no reason, it's good to have date to support why you are sending the offer you are. Sellers are more likely to negotiate with a buyer who can explain why they are submitting the offer they are. You need an agent that can strongly present that for you.

This is a loaded question! Every home, every market and every circumstance is different so you want to find an experienced agent that has excellent negotiation skills and experience to guide you with an offer that will be accepted, without insulting the seller. It can be a fine line.