Why do prospective tenants try to negotiate rent price?

[Jimmy S.]

Well.... I have always noticed that some prospective tenants always try to lowball me on price or ask if it is negotiable. Lately in the winter it has been happening more. Does this happen to anyone else? How do you react or did you consider it at all? It seems like a bad way to start to "work with them"and mabay their trying to see if you will budge before they are even in the house and how much more they can get away with.

Here a story, rent was $1075 which is fair and I dropped it to $995 to get it rented out in winter with oil heat which blows heating it(even at 53 degrees). Had a few people offer me $800-850 a month and I laughed. Right now my house is the cheapest and there's not much else out their let alone nothing at this price range.  I have been trying to find someone for 2 weeks and its hard in winter, plus with the holidays....

Just wanted to hear your thought, experience or opinions.