Off Market vs. Retail Pricing

[Katherine S.]

I've been looking at a couple off market packages of SFHs for our portfolio. In this latest one, the seller picked a price for each of 5 houses that looks to be about retail market pricing. He's shopping it off market before deciding if he'll list them on the MLS.

I know what numbers would work for me (and it's not anywhere near retail prices) but as a general rule, is there a typical discount off of retail that's expected in an off market deal?  It doesn't sound like the buyer is distressed or in a hurry.  I'm trying to figure out if other bidders are being more aggressive than I am.