I have chosen to say my glass is half full. Why do I say this. Well if I was to judge the real estate market in the Milwaukee area I would say that buyers have returned.
What are the seller thinking? Well when they get an offer on their home are they trying to work with the buyers to get the deal done? If an offer comes in it is important to understand WHY you put your home on the market to begin with. You wanted to sell! So if you have a buyer that has made that step they are interested in your home. They have picked it over all the other homes that are on the market. At that point your glass is half full. You are a step about the rest.
OK let's say you don't like there offer. What do you do next. Counter them back. At that point you have to think how much do I want to sell this place. Is the buyer being unreasonable or do I really understand what has gone on the past year and a half. Price have dropped. Can you get your home to appraise out at the price you think it's worth. So if you counter back are the buyers going to run? Then your glass will be half empty. Working things out so it is a Win Win for everyone. Yes you can counter back but at what price? What have homes or condos sold for in your area? Ask your agent. They will be able to help you with this. If you are looking at a price that is to high for sales in your area then your home will never appraise out at that price not now! The lenders are really watching this. Why you might ask? Well with the prices going down and them having to modify loans to current market value. A lender would have to be crazy to approve a loan that was on an over priced home. So if you don't like the current SOLD price in your area and you don't really need to sell then why have people going through your home for no reason. Now is not the time for you.
When an agent comes in and list your home. They will compare it to current homes on the market. But when an appraiser comes in they can only go off of home that have sold. So here is the major problem.
So if you need to sell and you want to sell keep your glass half full and make your counter offer in line with what is going on in the market.
So if you are looking to fill your glass now might be the time to to sell. Buyers are back and they are looking. Yes they are write offers that you may not like but at least the interest is back and work with them when you get an offer.