Sometimes buyers throw out lowball offers — way under your asking price — hoping to test your limits or score a quick discount. They might assume FSBO sellers are more likely to panic or meet them halfway just to get a deal done.

But here’s the truth: even a low offer is a sign of real interest. That buyer has identified your home as something they want — and that’s a win. You’re not trying to find a buyer anymore; you’re just working toward a deal that suits you both.

Some buyers assume FSBO sellers are easy to rattle — that a cheeky offer $100k under asking might scare you into meeting them halfway. Suddenly, you counter at $50k under asking, and they’ve just scored a huge discount.

Here’s a better way: call it out, calmly and confidently. Try countering $100k over asking instead. It sends a clear message — you’re not playing games. Then follow it with a light touch:

“Well hey, it was worth a shot, right? Now, can I get something closer to our asking price?”

This way, you haven’t budged an inch — but you’ve kept the tone friendly and in control.

Lowball offers aren’t the problem — it’s how you respond that matters. Keep it cool, keep it playful, and keep the upper hand.