Skip to content
×
Pro Members Get
Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
ANNUAL Save 16%
$32.50 /mo
$390 billed annualy
MONTHLY
$39 /mo
billed monthly
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime

Let's keep in touch

Subscribe to our newsletter for timely insights and actionable tips on your real estate journey.

By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions
Followed Discussions Followed Categories Followed People Followed Locations
Buying & Selling Real Estate
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated over 9 years ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

3,406
Posts
2,427
Votes
Ryan Dossey
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Indianapolis, IN
2,427
Votes |
3,406
Posts

Your seller's asking price... Is meaningless

Ryan Dossey
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Indianapolis, IN
Posted

I do a fair bit of mentoring/coaching to help people on this site get started, grow, and go full time. One of the most common things I see is people NOT going to meet sellers because the asking price is too high. These end up being some of our best calls.... Why? Most of your competition is avoiding that call as well.... 

I met with a seller yesterday who told me that the last guy said he was only looking for "distressed" sellers. (This particular guy had a cashflowing rental owned free and clear) So while he wasn't desperate... He did want to sell. 

A call we went on today the seller agreed to an offer that was 65% of his over the phone asking price. The guy dropped THIRTY-FIVE percent on the spot. 

Here's why.... Their asking price is 9/10 times a number that "sounds good" to them. Its not typically based on fact, condition, or location. If you can educate a seller on the market, repairs costs, and explain why your offer makes sense... I promise. You WILL close more deals. 

You only fail if you don't try. I'd rather go on 5 useless calls and have my offers flop vs not even try. 

How bad do you want this?

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

2,078
Posts
1,810
Votes
Hattie Dizmond
  • Investor
  • Dallas, TX
1,810
Votes |
2,078
Posts
Hattie Dizmond
  • Investor
  • Dallas, TX
Replied

Completely agree with @Ryan Dossey We meet with everyone who we qualify as being in position to sell to us, regardless of the asking price. In fact, the very first deal we met with a seller on - ever - was a FSBO. They were asking about 25% over what we could pay. I spent time both building a relationship with them and educating them on what would be needed to bring their house up to the standards of what today's buyers are looking for, what it would cost to do it, and what our business model is - so they would understand there was a max price we could pay. They were building a custom, smaller house and facing some health issues. They didn't want to do the rehab and needed to move quickly. After all the discussions and explaining, they agreed with our price. Done.

Loading replies...