One of our clients recently received a low offer on their property. They didn’t accept the offer because they had better ones coming in as well, but it got us thinking about something: many investors don’t know how to get a low offer accepted when they’re competing to purchase a property.
Buyers want to take advantage of opportunities and add quality properties to their portfolio, but they also need to be smart about the price they offer. Sellers, on the other hand, often expect strong numbers because they know how much time they’ve put into the property. Bridging that gap can feel challenging, but there are clear ways for buyers to increase their chances.
Here are five strategies, based directly on what we see work in real-world transactions, that can help you improve the odds of getting your low offer accepted.
1. Require a Timely Response
One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is giving the seller too much time to think. When a seller has days and days to mull over your offer, talk to others, second-guess themselves, and waver back and forth on whether they want to move forward or hold out for more, your chances of doing a deal often die.
If you want to get a low offer accepted, start by limiting the response window. Three days is usually enough. Make it clear that you are willing to give them this price, but you need an answer by a specific date. Creating urgency encourages action, not hesitation.
2. Keep Contingencies Low or Completely Eliminated
As buyers, we love contingencies because they give us escape routes. But as sellers, we absolutely hate them. More contingencies mean more uncertainty.
Anything you’re unsure about should be addressed before you write a low offer. That way, when you present your offer, you are confident in moving forward and the seller can trust your commitment. Especially if you’re going to ask the seller to respond in a short time period, you need to offer a short or non-existent due diligence period in return.
Removing these concerns and questions from a seller’s mind is a powerful way to increase the likelihood of them accepting a lower price.
3. Close Fast
Once a seller decides they want to sell, they typically want their check in the bank as soon as possible. That urgency is one of the simplest ways to persuade someone to choose your offer over another.
When you’re considering how to get a low offer accepted, speed matters – just like in the first and second strategies. If a seller knows the money will be in their account quickly, they may overlook a lower number in favor of that certainty.
4. Offer Cash and Seller-Finance Pricing Options
This is one of my tidy little secrets for how to get a low offer accepted. It’s also one of the most effective and most overlooked. If you’re writing a low offer, include two variations for your price: cash and seller-financed (or a seller second-held mortgage).
This gives the seller a choice, and choice is psychologically powerful. They see the higher price associated with seller financing and the lower price associated with cash. Even if they choose the lower cash offer, they still feel like they had meaningful control over the decision.
Humans value free will. Offering options reinforces that feeling and can dramatically increase your chances of getting the lower price accepted.
5. Provide Proof of Experience
The best investors do more than send numbers – they send credibility. A brief bio, a resume of past experience, references from people you’ve executed deals with in the past, and proof of funds (when appropriate) can greatly influence a seller’s willingness to work with you.
Sellers want to know you will actually close. Demonstrating a track record shows reliability and makes you stand out from other buyers who may simply present an offer without context. If you want to know how to get a low offer accepted, this step is essential. Give the seller confidence that you’re the right buyer and they’ll be more willing to accept an offer below the list price.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to get a low offer accepted comes down to reducing uncertainty for the seller and increasing the other benefits you can offer them. Timely responses, limited contingencies, quick closings, clear choices, and strong credibility all work together to make your offer the most compelling choice even if the price is lower.
Many investors we work with appreciate our practical negotiation strategies that help them secure strong deals while keeping their risk low. If you are looking for investment opportunities in Pennsylvania or Maryland, reach out to our team. We are always glad to share our expertise and help you move forward successfully.
