What is a counter offer in real estate?

Counter offers are typically handled between real estate agents and are time-sensitive. A counter offer is one of three responses a seller can give to a potential bid — the other two are to accept the buyer's initial offer or reject it outright. The point of a counter offer is to negotiate the best terms and best price for both parties.

How many counter offers are there in real estate?

When it comes to counter offers in real estate, there's no set number that constitutes the norm. A buyer and seller could go back and forth with one or many. But in most cases, there are only so many counter offers a potential buyer and seller will make before a real estate transaction just falls through.

How do I make a real estate counter offer?

One of the first steps in making a real estate counter offer is knowing what can be negotiated: • Possession date. Giving the sellers more time to move out could mean an exchange for a condition the buyer desires. Buyers hoping to move in sooner might make a counter offer requesting an earlier possession date. • Personal property.