The Risk of Passing on Good Offers
Why Waiting for the 'Perfect' Buyer is Risky in Today's Market
It’s easy to think, “If we just wait a little longer, the perfect buyer will come along.” Maybe someone who will fall in love with the kitchen, overlook the small backyard, or pay above asking price with no contingencies. But holding out for that dream offer can backfire, especially in today’s fast-moving real estate landscape.
Homes don’t sell for top dollar because someone finally shows up who loves everything about them. They sell for top dollar because the right buyers see the home early, feel urgency, and know they’re competing for something others want.
That momentum fades quickly. Pricing mistakes or passing on good offers in hopes of a better one later can end up costing you.
The “Perfect Buyer” Is a Myth
No buyer sees a home exactly the way a seller does. The features you love most might not even be on their radar. And what feels like a small drawback to you, like an awkward kitchen layout or small master bedroom closet, could be a sticking point for them. Home sellers are going to be disappointed if they expect a perfect match to happen organically once their house is listed.
Instead of waiting and hoping someone will come along who sees potential in your house, it’s necessary to position the home to create value. This involves generating early interest, strategically structuring showings, and giving buyers a reason to act fast.
Your home doesn’t have to check every box for a buyer to make a strong offer. Many serious buyers understand that no home is perfect. As long as your home aligns with their top priorities and is marketed effectively, it can feel like a great opportunity. This is especially true when they know other buyers are interested and they only have a limited window to decide.
In the Home Selling Process, Interest Always Peaks Early, Not Weeks After Listing
Serious buyers are actively watching the market and often set up alerts to be notified of new listings. That means your home gets the most visibility and attention in the first few days it goes live. If it doesn’t spark action during that window, you’re already losing leverage.
Delaying invites doubt and can hurt how your home is perceived. Lingering signals to the market that there’s something wrong with your home, like being overpriced or having serious enough problems that other buyers are steering clear.
The actual reason your home lingers doesn’t really matter, because people scrolling through listings won’t have the context that your house is fine and you just haven’t received a good enough offer.
The longer you wait, the more it looks like others have passed, and that perception affects the offers you do get.
Strong Offers Are Cultivated
Great buyers don’t just offer more because they love a house. They offer more when they believe other people want it too. Urgency drives bidding. How an open house or exclusive showing is offered and structured is key to showing buyers that others are interested. When buyers think they’re competing, they move faster and bid higher.
Waiting for that “perfect” buyer means missing the opportunity to create a competitive environment among interested and motivated shoppers. Also keep in mind that once the listing feels stale, even the right buyer may hold back or submit a lower offer because they assume they have an advantage.
Delaying a Sale Can Cost You More Than You Think
Even small delays can cost sellers in subtle ways. The longer your home sits, the more likely buyers will expect you to make concessions like price reductions or contingencies. You may also rack up extra costs, from taxes and insurance to mortgage payments and maintenance, while waiting for something better that may never arrive.
The delays and extra costs can be particularly problematic if you need to relocate soon or you’ve already found another home.
Instead of aiming for a long shot offer, 72SOLD home sellers focus on quickly attracting motivated buyers and making the home feel like a must-have opportunity. That’s what leads to real results, not wishful waiting.
Finding the Perfect Buyer for Your Home Shouldn’t Take Weeks
Hoping for the “perfect” buyer is often just a slow path to disappointment. The best home selling outcomes come from well-thought-out marketing and showing strategies.
At 72SOLD, we help home sellers get strong offers quickly by creating the kind of momentum and urgency that encourages competitive offers. Fill out the form on our website to learn more about our process and get our price for your home.
