I like the way you think...tax benefits many times are what makes a deal or at least sweetens it.

You can offer more to the tenants agent to sweeten the pot. 

Previous posters are correct, if the seller meets your counter offer you don't really then ask lower than your counter offer unless there is something else you are sweetening the deal with.

Hi all,I'm just curious, when making offers in competitive markets, have you ever had to "sweeten" your offer?

(You may want to throw some cash their way to sweeten the pot.) 

I'm very handy and don't mind putting in some sweat equity early on in my investment carear to sweeten a deal. 

I am going to try to offer cash for keys and even offer some moving assistance (if I need to sweeten the deal). 

Maybe even sweeten the terms (quicker payoff, etc).  

If not, it might be worth working through your realtor to have the current landlord update the lease to make these changes (he can give the renter a free month to sweeten the deal if needed). 

If you are competing against other offers, you might have to sweeten your offer by putting down more earnest money.