I've been under the assumption if you get a call like that, you can contact the seller/realtor and ask specifically what they want, if it's strict cash or changing a possession date etc.
For our house, I believe the family wanted out asap originally but for whatever reason started getting wishy washy. Turns out there was a snafu on the other side and there was a 3 week delay so they wanted more money (full asking IIRC to deal with hotel costs and stuff). We agreed to delay 3 weeks if they took a +0. Sealed the deal.
That was probably like a sway of like $50 in property tax? They lost out on about $3,000 but I guess for them, it was still way less than the cost of housing up in a hotel for 3 weeks as well as the added inconvenience.
Not sure if there's rules against this, but that's what I remember of the deal from many years ago. I recall the realtor telling my parents it was possible that the deal could fall apart over $1k, but he was confident that sticking to our guns was the best bet if we agreed to change the possession date. IIRC, the realtor even sheepishly admitted the family wasn't even properly packed to move out. Maybe we lucked out, who knows. But just saying that I don't think it hurts to contact them and ask what it is they truly are looking for. If it's just extra cash, then walk if you're not comfortable in bumping the offer.
A feel good story. Bungalow in the same neighborhood. We offered something like 8k below asking price due to issues with the home (cosmetic damage and the like). Seller said no. Added a K and asked again. Seller claimed they were already selling the home 10k below market. So we walked. Bought the house in the aforementioned story and checked the bungalow house's listing. Turns out they were asking 6-7k less than our original offer and still not sold. Felt good.
Anyone know if contacting the seller to ask what they actually want or if any non-monetary deals would work better is allowable?
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