A lowball offer will more than likely be rejected at first, but you need to follow up on the property at a later date. 

If he rejects you, let him know that he can call you at any time if he changes his mind.

In buyers markets like we had a few years ago it was not uncommon for me to get offers on my personal properties with  literally 2 hours to make up my mind to accept reject or counter.

Once they list that property (Oh btw they will use photo shop to make the property look as clean as possible) buyers come to preview and they are totally turned off, local buyers agents know it's over priced do not take buyers to preview, if someone offers under the seller rejects or counters at the same overpriced number, days on the market starts to exceed, all the investors are totally rejected, then one buyer comes in at full asking price which is probably an FHA buyer, the appraisal is conducted, comes in under by $75k and the properties back on the market. 

If an offer comes in at a certain percentage below their asking price, they are not allowed to accept it.I can't tell you how many times I've watched a bank-owned property linger on the MLS, twisting in the wind at a completely unrealistic price, while the bank rejects lower offers--only to have the property eventually sell at that lower price point several months later, when the bank has fulfilled its internal obligations to seek the highest price. 

What you are looking for when screening is reasons to reject applicants not reasons to accept them.

To be honest you are low and it will be rejected, they will likely be insulted but you do not need to care what they think.

The best part being the "Art of the Deal"  Unless I have information that shows an offer will be totally rejected I say "Make An Offer"   Why would they not try to acquire the property themselves 'So what's wrong with it?'

UpdateThe seller rejected my offer of $36,000.

I do all of it, but what is hard is to reject someone that is borderline.