are HUD counter offers meaningless?

[Account Closed]

I missed out on my first rehab project. It was a 3/2 with vinyl siding near my home - the perfect amoutn of rehab for me to start with. My realtor and I agreed the list price of $157,500 was accurate for ARV since it was in the 25% with no garage in the area (Roanoke, VA). So basically HUD offered at ARV. I figured if I could get it at $115,000 I could repair front stoop, paint, carpet, repair small drywall holes, replace a few fixtures and pay realtor fees to sell and still make enough to satisfy me for my efforts.

I made an offer of $101,000 with $500 deposit to HUD.

HUD countered stating "minimum acceptable net to HUD offer amount for this property as $133,875".

That was too much to make any profits so I sulked and waited a few days since that was over Thanksgiving.

A few days later the HUD website shows HUD accepted an offer at $112,800.

So my question is -- are the HUD counter offers meaningless? I lost this one because I assumed there would not be any need for HUD to be so deceitful. I don't understand why they countered with a specfic number that is not anywhere close to what they accepted.

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to advise.

Brent