HiIt depends on the demand and speed,If you should be afraid of loosing the property, but you can try to ask your agent what the highest offer is, but you can only know if he is exlusive agent on this property or his company is exlusive, so if they are exlusive and are telling you the highest offer you know at what number you should come in, and you know how much time you have to negotiate on the deal ,If you have no idea, you need to determine if you can risk the deal by comming in lower and you will save money or you will lose the deal,But everything boils down to the same thing depending on the agent if he is exlusive and can give you a good feel,If he is not exlusive give a offer and ask for a counter offer of the seller.In some states it's illegal the agent should tell you at what numbers the other offers are, so you can tell him at my number are there any higher ones, or how is my offer comming in etc.

Here are my numbers: Current Offer $247,000.00 25% Down $61,750.00 Closing Costs $8,000.00 Gross Operating Income $4,495.00 Taxes $309.03 Insurance $560.00 10% Management $449.50 10% CAPEX $449.50 5% Vacancy $224.75 NOI $2,502.22 Debt Service $1,222.57 Cashflow $1,279.65 Per Property $182.81 Cap Rate 12.2% Cash on Cash Return 21% The seller's last counteroffer was for $265,000.

I have the cash to buy the property all out, but I really want leverage because I don't want to consume all my cash on this deal and it juices the COCR.Original Ask: $49kInitial Offer: $40kTheir counter-offer: $44kMy counter-offer that was accepted $42k.This is from an estate sale listed on MLS for a 3/1 SFH 865 sq. ft,1950Rent after installing washer and dryer and re-painting interior will be about $950/mthAnyone got any good mortgage broker recs?

You'll be surprised how quickly it can become confusing, especially with counter offers going back and forth, disclosures and inspections to review, financing and escrow docs, etc.

Blake,Have you ever had a seller respond with a counter offer at your disclosed maximum (200k in your example)?

If not for the education I have received from BP and the use of the analysis tools, I probably would have originally offered more than the seller's counter offer to begin with thus paying way to much for the house.  

Hello Dear BP Members Short sale prop has been on the market almost 3 months but there was not a single offer. In August I made an offer $109K and it was listed for $150K. Bank statrted pre foreclosure process after m...

This is from the counter offer & Addendum.

I just never heard of a bank making a counter offer AFTER submitting Highest and Best offer.

Jon - you can certainly ask the seller to do this ...you might  agree to a slightly higher note rate to make the counter offer a bit more appealing