John R. Wood Properties
Barry Dunleavy, John R. Wood PropertiesPhone: (239) 877-6445
Email: [email protected]

A home seller's guide: Should you reject an offer?

by Barry Dunleavy 05/05/2024

When should you consider declining a home purchase offer featured image

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. 

Review the local housing market

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. 

Understand the strengths of your home 

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. 

Consult a real estate agent

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.



About the Author
Author

Barry Dunleavy

Over 25 Years in the Real Estate Industry. Former Senior Managing Director with responsibility for oversight of real estate businesses in Canada and Latin America including CEO of Canadian-based bank; prior to that Sr. Managing Director Construction Financing to large residential builders throughout the USA. He has a BA and MBA in Finance. Memberships include the Naples Board of Realtors, Graduate Realtors Institute, Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, Florida Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors. Community activities include New Horizons of Southwest Florida volunteer teaching math and reading to at-risk 3rd to 5th graders while being Chair of their 2016-2018 Golf Event and also involved with the Christian Businessmen's Connection. 2014 Awarded the Distinguished Volunteer for Collier County. He was a former Board of Governors of Hazeltine National Golf Club, host of the upcoming 2016 Ryder Cup Championship.