So, you’ve listed your house, held multiple showings, and now a buyer has made an offer. It’s the moment when you must face the tough question: Do you accept or reject an offer? Deciding to sell your house involves more than just getting the highest price—it’s about finding the best terms, timing, and overall fit for your situation. With various factors at play, it’s never an easy decision. Here’s some guidance on how to evaluate your options and determine whether you should accept or reject an offer for your Savannah, GA and Chatham County home.
When to Accept an Offer
Here are some of the circumstances when it makes the most sense to accept an offer:
SLOW SEASON
Spring is the hottest time for home sales. So if you’re trying to sell during the winter, it just may be best to accept that offer – because you may not get many (or any) others. Top realtors agree that if you’re trying to sell between Thanksgiving and New Year, you should probably at least strongly consider the first offer.
MORE THAN THREE MONTHS ON THE MARKET
The amount of time your house has been on the market is an important factor when deciding whether to accept or reject an offer for your Savannah, GA and Chatham County home. If your property has been listed for several months, buyers may start to question why it hasn’t sold yet. A prolonged listing can lead to assumptions that there’s something wrong with the house, even if that’s not the case. In such instances, when you receive an offer, it may be wise to consider accepting it—especially if the terms are reasonable and the offer aligns with your goals.
ALL-CASH OFFER
An all-cash offer, even if it’s a little lower than what you actually want, should be accepted in most cases. You won’t have to wait on the buyer to get financing, and cash buyers are usually amenable to an as-is deal.
STRUGGLING WITH MAJOR LIFE EVENT
If you’re facing a significant life event, the decision to accept or reject an offer for your Savannah, GA and Chatham County house can often become clearer. Major life changes like relocating for a job, dealing with a divorce, or other personal circumstances may make selling more urgent. In these situations, accepting a solid offer and moving on can be the best choice, helping you focus on the next chapter of your life. Sometimes, letting go of the property quickly and with minimal stress can provide the fresh start you need.
ALREADY FOUND NEW HOME
Most people looking to sell a house are also in the process of searching for a new one to move into. If you’ve already found your next home, or even started moving in, it may be more practical to accept or reject an offer quickly. Delaying the decision could mean continuing to pay for utilities, property taxes, and maintenance on both homes, and possibly juggling two mortgages at the same time. In this situation, prioritizing a quick sale over the highest price may be the smarter financial move, allowing you to focus on settling into your new home without the added stress.
When to Reject an Offer
There are, however, certain situations in which it is probably better to reject an offer, including:
BETTER OFFER
Obviously, if you receive a higher offer, it’s an easy decision to accept or reject an offer for your Savannah, GA and Chatham County house when compared to a lower one. However, the best offer isn’t always just about the price. For instance, if you receive two offers for the same amount, but one buyer asks for fewer concessions or contingencies, that offer could be the better choice. Fewer concessions often mean fewer hurdles to close the deal, allowing for a smoother, quicker transaction. In such cases, rejecting the offer with more demands can save you time and potential complications down the line.
REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Also, if you’ve done your research and have reasonable expectations concerning the asking price, you will know when to accept or reject an offer. This sounds painfully obvious, but many sellers have unrealistic expectations about price and time on the market. So if you’re asking for something very near fair market value, any offer much below that should be rejected.
FINANCING NOT IN ORDER
Whether or not a buyer has financing lined up has a lot to do with whether you should accept or reject an offer. When a buyer hasn’t been pre-approved for a mortgage or doesn’t have enough cash for a cash offer that is good grounds for rejection. An offer made when either of these conditions obtains is not a credible offer, and the buyer is not a serious buyer. So, basically, an offer should be rejected when there is no proof that it is indeed a genuine offer.
TOO MANY CONCESSIONS
The consensus among experts is that an offer should be rejected when the buyer asks for too many concessions. Asking for some concessions is just standard practice, but beware of the buyer who goes overboard and asks for an unreasonable amount or something way too large. Unreasonable concessions, for example, might be asking you to pay all the closing costs or asking you to pay for a new roof.
Most of the time, deciding whether to accept or reject an offer for your Savannah, GA and Chatham County house will be straightforward. However, there are moments when the decision is less clear, and the factors at play make it harder to determine the right move. In those situations, your real estate agent can be invaluable. With their expertise, they can help you assess the offer from every angle, ensuring that you avoid costly mistakes. Whether it’s about price, contingencies, or timing, your agent’s guidance can provide clarity and help you make the best decision.
