What would each offer mean for you?

Avry doesn't know what this seller will take, and neither does anyone else. Here's what different prices would do for you, and what the listing tells you, so you can decide.

How much below asking should I offer?

There's no standard amount. What a seller will take depends on the home, how long it's been for sale, how many buyers are interested and what the seller needs. A price close to asking leaves less room to negotiate; a lower one leaves more, with more risk that the seller rejects it or counters.

It helps to know what each price would do for you: the monthly payment, the cash you'd need, and whether it fits your budget. That part you can work out before you decide.

Does days on market affect what I should offer?

It can. A home that has been for sale for a while may have a seller more open to negotiating, but not always: the price, the season or the seller's plans can all explain it. On Zillow the count can also reset when a home is relisted.

What does a price reduction tell a buyer?

That the seller has already moved on price once, usually because the home didn't draw the offers they hoped for at the first price. It doesn't say how much further they'll go.

What happens if my offer is too low?

The seller can reject it, ignore it, or counter with a price of their own. A counteroffer keeps the conversation going. In a competitive market another buyer's offer may be accepted first.

What makes a strong offer besides price?

Certainty and convenience. A pre-approval, a larger down payment, solid earnest money, a closing date that suits the seller and fewer contingencies can all make an offer more attractive. So can asking for fewer credits: sellers look at what they walk away with.

Can I ask the seller to pay closing costs?

Yes, as a closing credit, if the seller agrees and your loan allows it. A credit can't be more than your actual closing costs, and loan programs cap seller contributions as a percentage of the price. A credit lowers what the seller walks away with, just as a lower price does.

Avry's offer information is for educational and planning purposes only. It is not an appraisal, valuation, legal advice or a guarantee that a seller will accept any offer. Market conditions, competing offers, property condition and seller priorities can all affect a negotiation.