@Joshua GawaldoGeography dictates the answer to your question.  

This will dictate strategy and criteria.

Time is short for him and he has agreed to sell for the ank payoff, which in this case is 303K.The place is upscale and immaculate, and repairs are under $8,000 and house could list in less than 2 weeks.Comps in the immediate neighborhood dictate listing at $360-370.The market is Northborough, MA and the absorption rate here is positive.The 70% rule says I can't pay more than $252K for everything. 

. 😂$250k is a large enough saving to work with, but your income will probably also dictate how much financing you will qualify for.

When I see your name I usually click to see what you have to say...or is it dictate, because that would have been a lot of typing.

Your debt-to-income ratio, as well as how much you can put down for a down payment/closing costs will largely dictate what you are able to afford.

By avoiding it, you have taught her that you are a doormat and she can dictate the terms.

Or what dictates what date you choose within that window? 

Price will instead be dictated based on appraisal.To come up with the price however, come up with a ballpark estimated price.

Again, the specific language of the contract will dictate what they have to do in that case.