So, we put in an offer yesterday for a house that we kind of like, but that probably requires a lot of work - the house is close to 30 yrs old and has the original kitchen (including appliances), roof, a/c units, and bathrooms. Clearly a large job. They also priced it at what the house could get at the peak of the market. It's been sitting for 6 months with no interest.
We came in yesterday with a lowball offer (20% off their price), and their response was "we are not negotiating with anyone who is not at least within 10% of our price with their initial bid. The house next door to us sold last year for 20% more than where we are listed" (never mind the fact that the next door house is about 1000 square feet bigger, totally updated, and on a larger lot).
Good luck to 'em.
Re: Adventures in homebuying
11/11/11 = 5 years. Woah!
If you're only feeling "eh" about the house, I'd say they did you a favor by not considering your offer. I liked to keep an eye on houses like that just because I wanted to see how long they continued to sit on the market with their unrealistic price.
There's a house I looked at back in February and loved, but it was a short sale that already had an offer in (it had been on the market for a number of months already). It was at the top of my price range, so I just let it go. Well, the bank decided not to accept the short sale offer and it went into foreclosure. Now it's still sitting on the market, but they had to drop the price even below what they were asking for when it was a SS. Too bad they were greedy fvckers!
"That chick wins at Penises, for sure." -- Fenton
Cali, I think you are right. I think we'll be happy in the long run. The work that we would have to do would probably cost six figures. Plus, the house has a pool. In theory that would be nice, but not when you live with an infant and pretty dumb dog who can't swim.
We've decided not to retract the offer, but if they approach us later on, we aren't negotiating. It's become a take it or leave it offer.