Highest and best... How do you play the game?

[NA N.]

Folks...

So what do you do when they request highest and best to stay in the game on a house?

What are your strategies?

You increase a little (couple grand or 5k or 1k or substantial increase)
Or you don't increase your offer and hope the bank will pick your cash offer and negotiate with you only?
The ideal would be that they counter your initial offer and start communication, but when the multiple offer email hits your inbox how do you make this communication happen?

I need to decide today on this so I appreciate your input.

[Rob K.]

I recommend offering a weird number. If the bank is asking $50,000 and you want the house for $45,000, offer $45,132 or some such number. Other investors might have a max offer of $45K. Your extra $132 could get you the house. I've done it many times and it works.