When your home hits the market, getting an offer right away feels exciting — and sometimes even a little suspicious. Many sellers wonder, “Did we price too low?” or “Maybe we should wait for something better.”
While it’s natural to question the first offer, in our experience, the first offer is often the best one you’ll get — or at least the one most worth negotiating with. Here’s why, and what to consider before you decide.
Early Interest Is Usually the Strongest
Your listing gets the most attention in its first few days on the market. That’s when it’s new, fresh, and visible to the largest pool of active buyers. This initial buzz creates a sense of urgency — buyers feel that “act now or lose out” pressure that motivates strong offers.
Once your home has been listed for a few weeks, that excitement fades. New listings push yours down the search results, and buyers start wondering if there’s a reason it hasn’t sold yet. That’s why the early window is often your best opportunity to secure top dollar.
What to Consider Before Accepting
Even if that first offer comes in quickly, it’s worth taking a moment to evaluate a few key factors:
- Showing activity: Are you getting lots of showings and second appointments? If interest is steady, there may be room to wait. But if showings slow down quickly, that early offer might be the strongest you’ll see.
- Market type: In a seller’s market, you may get multiple offers. In a balanced or buyer’s market, waiting could mean fewer opportunities and lower offers down the line.
- Feedback from agents: If other agents mention that their buyers are “interested but thinking,” that’s a sign of potential competition. If not, the first offer could be your best bet.
- Offer quality: Is the offer close to your asking price? Does it have reasonable conditions and timelines? If it’s fair, it’s often worth working with rather than holding out for something that may not come.
A Common Mistake We See
We’ve seen it many times – a seller receives a strong offer in the first couple of days and assumes more will follow. Then… crickets. Weeks turn into months, and eventually, they sell for significantly less — sometimes $50,000 – $100,000 less than that original offer.
That first buyer was likely the most motivated and ready to act. Once they move on, it can be hard to recapture that same level of interest later.
The Bottom Line
Every situation is unique, but as a general rule, a strong early offer deserves serious consideration. The buyers who act fast are usually the most serious, and the early days of your listing are when you have the most leverage.
Before you make any decision, lean on your real estate team to analyze the offer in context — reviewing market trends, showing activity, and the strength of buyer interest.
Sometimes the best deal really is the first one that comes your way.
