The convenience and certainty of all-cash offers appeals to sellers so much so, that they pay on average 10 % less than mortgage buyers, according to a new study from the University of California San Diego Rady School of Management.
Typically, a lowball offer is considered to be at least 20% below the asking price. If you're offering 10% below, the property should be in a good condition but may just need some cosmetic work done.
Some cash home buying companies will pay as little as 50% of the after-repair value (ARV) of your home, while others may offer up to 85%. Use the 70% ARV formula (estimated sales price x 70% - repair costs = max offer) to see what you might expect.
It is tricky, but Michael Russell of Ratchet Straps USA emphasizes the importance of making sure a lowball offer doesn't insult the seller—if you want to be taken seriously as a buyer. “The rule I've always followed is to never go more than 25% below the listed price,” he says.
By definition, a lowball offer is an offer that is significantly below market value. This is where the problem can start — in practice, agents and their clients consider a an offer to be a lowball if it's significantly below the asking price. Asking price and market value are not always the same thing.
You need to pay attention to the property history. It doesn't make sense to submit lowball offer $50,000 below asking price if the property is only been on the market for two days. A whole year on the market, with price reductions? Go ahead and roll the dice.
Cash offers can be appealing, as they close more quickly and are less likely to fall through because there are no lenders involved. But it's important to do your due diligence when dealing with cash-homebuying operations.
Here are the elements that make up a very strong offer: Highest offer of all buyers. Offers short contingency periods. All-cash buyer. Down payment of at least 20% of the purchase price.
The rule of thumb is usually between 5 and 10 percent of the home price. Bear in mind that you could lose the money if the deal falls through, so it's important not to put up so much that you'd be ruined if you lost the cash.
Haggling isn't appropriate in all circumstances, but it can bear fruit even when prices seem fixed. There is an art to haggling, and it takes time to learn how to do it effectively. Being knowledgeable, friendly, firm, decisive, frugal, and reasonably flexible help when bargaining.
“Once you've been on the market for five weeks or so, you're chasing the market,” says Mike King, an agent with the Partners Trust Realty in Brentwood, CA. If you haven't seen any action in a while, it might be time to take your house off the market, do some touch-ups, and relist.
That depends on the offer — and the seller. If you're looking to sell your house fast or don't want to deal with contingencies, a cash offer may be ideal for you. But if you might need more time to find a new home or want to be sure you're maximizing your profits, you could be better off with a mortgaged buyer.
It's also acceptable to offer 20% or more below asking when the house has been priced significantly higher than what other homes in the neighborhood have sold for. If comparable homes have sold for much lower than the list price of the house you're interested in, that could work in your favor.
The Problem with Cash Offers
The primary reason? Sellers are reluctant to accept offers that significantly undervalue their properties. Even with distressed properties, owners are often unwilling to sell for “pennies on the dollar.” "Even if their property is falling down, they still are not going to give it away."
Can you offer less than market value with an all-cash offer? You can offer whatever you like, no matter how you're paying. But a seller may be more inclined to accept a lower offer if it is all-cash. On the other hand, if it's a hot listing with multiple offers, they may not accept a low offer even if it's in cash.
While laws vary by state, in general, up until that contract is signed by both parties—even after counteroffers have been sent out—all new offers can be considered and accepted. Once both parties have signed it, however, the seller is pretty much locked into the deal.
To cut to the chase, it really depends. Cash offers can benefit sellers by ensuring quick closings and fewer contingencies. But, if maximizing profit is your goal, financed offers may be better. The best choice depends on the seller's priorities and specific circumstances.
Speaking of mortgage lenders, the time it takes to close on your house can vary depending on the type of loan. For instance, a VA loan can take 40 to 50 days, and an FHA purchase loan takes roughly the same time. However, some mortgage lenders promise speedy closing timelines, as fast as seven to 10 days in some cases.
Yes, a cash offer can collapse if you cannot furnish sufficient proof of funds or come up with the money needed to close the deal. Or, the homebuyer can cancel the deal within the agreed-upon due diligence timeframe if they change their mind due to concerns over an inspection report or other issues with the house.
Don't mix up offering under asking price and lowballing, either. It's often reasonable to offer 1 to 4 percent below asking price, but putting in an offer for half (or even 75 percent) of the home's list price is the best way to offend the seller and get your offer thrown in the trash.
A common starting point is to offer around 5-10% below the asking price, but it's essential to work closely with your real estate agent, analyze comparable sales, and consider any unique circumstances to determine a competitive yet reasonable offer.
However, if you're interested in grabbing a bargain and becoming a homeowner for financial reasons (and are less invested in which house you own), a low offer could be the right option for you. Consider making an offer that hovers 25% below the asking price—and see what happens.