32. Although a home is listed for $170,000, the owner has told the licensee that she would accept any offer over $167,000. The licensee shows the home to a prospect, who says, 'Will the owner take $168,000?' The licensee should reply in which of the following ways?
Answer: B
The licensee should reply that they will submit a lower offer to the owner.
In this situation, the most appropriate response from the licensee is to indicate that they will submit a lower offer to the owner. This aligns with the owner's willingness to consider offers above $167,000 while maintaining professionalism in handling the negotiation.
A) The property is listed at $170,000, but it could sell for $168,000.
This option is misleading as it implies that the property might be sold for less than the listed price without properly addressing the owner's stated willingness to accept offers above $167,000. It does not directly communicate the action the licensee will take regarding the specific offer of $168,000.
B) The property is listed at $170,000, but I will submit a lower offer to the owner.
This response is correct because it accurately reflects the licensee's intention to act on the prospect's offer of $168,000 while adhering to the owner's guidelines. It conveys professionalism and keeps the negotiation process transparent and straightforward.
C) I'm sure the owner will accept an offer of $168,000 with immediate occupancy.
This statement is presumptive and could lead to misunderstandings, as it suggests certainty about the owner's acceptance of the offer without actually checking with the owner. It does not respect the owner’s requirement for offers above $167,000.
D) An offer of $168,000 is lower than the listed price, but I expect the listed price to be changed soon.
While this option acknowledges the price difference, it fails to take action on the prospect's offer. It could create confusion and does not provide a concrete next step for the potential buyer.
Conclusion
The best response is to inform the prospect that the licensee will submit a lower offer to the owner, as this respects the owner's guidance while facilitating the negotiation process. Options A, C, and D either misrepresent the situation or make assumptions about the owner's decisions, while B remains the most professional and clear approach.