How Much Below Asking Price to Offer in Arizona
Making an offer on a house is part art, part science. Here's how to determine what to offer in Arizona's market.
Market Conditions Matter Most
Seller's Market (Low Inventory)
Homes sell fast (under 30 days)
Multiple offers common
Offer at or above asking
Below asking = rejected
Buyer's Market (High Inventory)
Homes sit longer (60+ days)
Fewer competing offers
Room to negotiate (5-10% below)
Sellers more motivated
Balanced Market
Moderate inventory
Some negotiation room (3-5% below)
Depends on specific property
Factors That Affect Your Offer
Days on Market
Under 7 days: Offer at or above asking
7-30 days: Maybe 2-3% below
30-60 days: Try 5% below
60-90 days: Try 7-10% below
90+ days: Something's wrong, negotiate hard
Property Condition
Move-in ready: Less negotiation room
Needs updates: 5-10% below
Needs major repairs: 15-20% below
Major issues: Make repair-based offer
Seller Motivation
Signs of motivated sellers:
Vacant property
Estate/probate sale
Relocation listing
Price reductions
"Bring all offers" language
Comparable Sales
What have similar homes sold for?
Below asking: You have room
At or above asking: Limited room
Arizona-Specific Considerations
Seasonal Patterns
Spring: Most competitive, less room
Summer: Slower (heat), more room
Fall: Competitive but reasonable
Winter: Slowest, most room
Location Matters
Phoenix/Scottsdale: More competitive
Tucson: More moderate
Rural areas: More negotiation room
What About Cash Offers?
Cash buyers have advantages:
No financing contingencies Faster closing More certainty
Cash offers at 5-10% below asking often beat financed offers at asking price.
Making Your Offer
Include These Elements
Pre-approval letter (if financing)
Proof of funds (if cash)
Earnest money deposit
Desired closing date
Contingencies
Negotiation Tips
Don't lowball excessively
Have data to support your offer
Be ready to walk away
Consider escalation clause in competitive situations
Selling Your Current Home?
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