How to Handle Lowball Offers on Your Las Vegas Home

by Ryan Rose

An offer came in. You looked at the number. Your blood pressure spiked. That's insulting. Who do they think they are?

Take a breath. Let's think about this strategically, not emotionally.

Define "Lowball"

First, is it actually low? Or just lower than you hoped?

If you're priced at $500,000 and get an offer for $480,000, that's a 4% difference. That's not a lowball. That's a negotiation starting point.

If you're priced at $500,000 and get an offer for $400,000, that's 20% below asking. That's a lowball.

The difference matters. A reasonable offer deserves a reasonable response. An absurd offer might not.

Why Buyers Lowball

They're testing. Some buyers throw out low numbers to see what happens. Desperate sellers accept. Everyone else counters.

Their agent advised it. Some agents tell buyers to "start low and work up." Not great advice, but common.

They see something you don't. Maybe your home is overpriced relative to competition. Maybe they know something about the market you're missing.

They can't afford more. Their budget is their budget. They're hoping you're flexible.

They're not serious. Some people make offers with no real intention of buying. It happens.

Your Response Options

Counter at your price. "Thanks for your offer. Our counter is $495,000." Shows you're firm but willing to engage.

Counter with a slight reduction. "We'll come down to $490,000." Signals flexibility without caving.

Reject without countering. "We're declining your offer." Ends the conversation. Use this for truly absurd offers.

Ignore it. You're not required to respond. Sometimes silence makes a point. But you might lose a buyer who would have come up.

The Strategic Counter

Most experienced agents recommend always countering, even on lowball offers. Here's why:

A counter keeps the conversation alive. You learn more about the buyer. They might come up significantly. And if they don't, you've lost nothing.

Counter at a number you'd actually accept. Don't play games. If $485,000 is your bottom line, counter at $485,000.

What the Market Says

If you're getting multiple lowball offers, the market is telling you something. Your price might be wrong.

Check your comparable sales. How do recently sold homes compare to your asking price? If similar homes sold for less, buyers aren't lowballing. They're pricing accurately.

Don't Take It Personally

Buyers don't know you. They're not insulting your taste or your memories. They're trying to get a good deal. You would too.

Treat it as business. Respond professionally. Counter if appropriate. Move on if not.

The Bottom Line

Lowball offers sting. But they're often just negotiation tactics. Counter strategically, stay calm, and let the process work. Sometimes lowball buyers become actual buyers once you meet somewhere reasonable.

Getting frustrating offers on your Las Vegas home? Let's talk about pricing strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lowball Offers on Las Vegas Homes

Q1: What percentage below asking price is considered a lowball offer?

Generally, an offer that's 10-20% or more below your asking price is considered a lowball offer. For example, on a $500,000 home, an offer of $400,000 (20% below) would be considered lowball, while $480,000 (4% below) is typically just a normal negotiation starting point.

Q2: Should I counter a lowball offer or just reject it?

Most experienced real estate agents recommend always countering, even on lowball offers. A counter keeps the conversation alive and allows you to learn more about the buyer's intentions. Counter at a price you'd actually accept—if $485,000 is your bottom line, counter at that number. You risk nothing by countering and might gain a serious buyer.

Q3: Why do buyers make lowball offers on Las Vegas homes?

Buyers make lowball offers for several reasons: they're testing to see if you're a motivated seller, their agent advised them to "start low," they believe your home is overpriced based on comparable sales, they genuinely can't afford more, or in some cases, they're not serious buyers. Understanding the motivation helps you respond strategically.

Q4: What does it mean if I'm receiving multiple lowball offers?

If you're consistently receiving lowball offers, the market may be signaling that your home is overpriced. It's time to review your comparative market analysis and check how recently sold homes in your area compare to your asking price. Multiple low offers often indicate a need for a pricing adjustment rather than buyer disrespect.

Q5: How should I respond emotionally to a lowball offer?

Don't take lowball offers personally. Buyers don't know you and aren't insulting your taste or memories—they're simply trying to get a good deal, just as you would in their position. Treat it as a business transaction, respond professionally, counter if appropriate, and move on if not. Emotional responses can cost you money and opportunities.

Q6: What's the best counter-offer strategy for a lowball offer?

The best strategy is to counter at a number you'd actually accept, not to play games. You can counter at your original price to show firmness, come down slightly to signal flexibility (like from $500,000 to $490,000), or counter at your absolute bottom line. Avoid countering with a price you won't ultimately accept—be honest and strategic in your negotiation.

Q7: When should I reject a lowball offer without countering?

Reject without countering only when an offer is truly absurd—significantly below market value with no reasonable path to negotiation. However, use this option sparingly. Even seemingly unreasonable buyers sometimes come up significantly in price once they understand you're firm. Ignoring an offer is also an option, though you risk losing a buyer who might have increased their offer.

Q8: Can a lowball buyer become a serious buyer?

Yes, absolutely. Lowball buyers often become actual buyers once you meet at a reasonable middle ground. Many buyers start with low offers as a negotiation tactic, then increase their price when they realize the seller is firm but willing to negotiate. This is why maintaining professional dialogue and strategic countering is so important.