When Negotiation Crosses the Line: A Seller’s Story Worth Remembering
One of my readers recently reached out to share their home-selling experience and the buyers bad behavior. Their story is a powerful reminder that real estate is about more than just numbers. Emotions, behavior, and respect all play a major role in how a deal comes together or falls apart.
This couple had listed their home for $499,900. They were looking to downsize and planned to rent for a year while deciding whether to retire locally or move elsewhere. They were motivated to sell, but they were not in a rush. There was no financial pressure. They were calm, methodical, and prepared for the process.
Preparing the Home and Choosing the Right Agent
They followed my advice from the beginning. They interviewed three real estate agents and chose the one they felt was best equipped to get their home sold. The agent did a great job with marketing and set the right expectations. The market had slowed, so waiting 90 days for an offer did not surprise them.
The Offer That Crossed a Line
After nearly three months on the market, they received an offer for $375,000 with a request for the sellers to cover closing costs. That would have brought their net proceeds closer to $360,000. Even though they were emotionally steady, that offer hit them hard. It felt offensive.
They reached out to me and asked what to do. I reminded them that every offer is a starting point. You don’t have to accept a low offer, but it opens the door to a negotiation. My advice was to come back with a firm counteroffer to test whether the buyer was serious.
Holding Firm on Price
They responded with $455,000, which was their bottom line. They were not interested in playing games or dragging out the process. The buyer kept inching up little by little, never getting close to $455,000. The sellers held firm. Eventually, they told their agent to reject any offer below their number without further discussion.
An Unexpected Visit and Tension
Then things took a strange turn. The buyers physically showed up at the sellers’ home, pressuring them to negotiate. They started criticizing the home, talking about the roof, the furnace, and the overall condition. Their tone was aggressive, not constructive. This is just purely buyers bad behavior.
That was the moment everything changed. The sellers decided this was not how they wanted to be treated. They withdrew their counteroffer and told their agent they would no longer consider any future offers from those buyers.
The Offers That Came Too Late
What happened next was a case study in buyer regret. The buyers returned with a new offer matching the original $455,000 counter. But it was too late. The counter had been withdrawn. Then they offered $475,000. Then full price. Then $520,000. But none of it mattered anymore.
The sellers stood by their values. They did not want to reward disrespectful behavior, no matter how high the number climbed.
A Better Ending
A short time later, a new buyer toured the home. They submitted an offer for $485,000. They were professional, respectful, and ready to move forward. The sellers accepted.
Meanwhile, the original buyers showed up again on their doorstep, visibly upset that they lost the house. But by that point, it was not about the house or the money. It was about principle and peace of mind.
Lessons for Buyers
This story is a reminder for buyers. Sellers remember how you treat them. Offers are not just numbers, they are expressions of intent and tone. Behavior matters.
If you are buying a home, try putting yourself in the seller’s shoes. How would your offer feel to them? Are you showing respect, patience, and understanding? You may be approved for a mortgage and ready to buy, but the way you approach negotiation can shape the outcome more than you think.
Final Thoughts
These sellers did everything right. They stayed level-headed, sought advice, and followed through with integrity. In the end, they got an offer from buyers who treated them the way they wanted to be treated.
Money matters in real estate. But so does behavior.
Looking for thoughtful guidance through your next real estate decision? I can connect you with a trusted agent in your market who understands both the numbers and the people behind them.
