You've found a house that fits your life perfectly, and it's in a great neighborhood. You make an offer based on the condition of the house, the price of homes in the area, and what you can afford hoping for the best. The seller comes back with a counteroffer. What do you do?
Many times the seller's counteroffer will include changes to the sale price, closing date, contributions towards closing costs, or earnest money. The sale price and closing date are the most commonly requested parts of a counter-offer. It's important to consider things like the housing market you're in, how much you are willing to spend, and how soon you want to close.
The important thing to remember is that you can negotiate, accept or walk away from a counteroffer. A counter offer is an opportunity to negotiate a deal that both the buyer and seller feel is fair. This is also a situation where an experienced real estate professional can help you make a good decision that will meet your needs without breaking your budget.