Interpretation of Seller Behavior

I once experienced the same thing from the "seller's side." I had an underground parking space for rent. At first, someone from the neighborhood wanted to rent it but insisted on paying 10 euros less than my price (40 euros instead of 50 euros). I didn't agree, but I wasn't upset either. Two months later, the same person approached me to ask if I was still renting it out. Yes, I was. The parking space was still available. The same price discussion happened again. Additionally, she also "downgraded" the parking space, saying it was just a piece of ugly concrete with lines on it. At that point, I really didn’t feel like renting it to that particular person anymore. And sometimes the universe is very kind. Someone else heard this story and voluntarily offered a higher, market-appropriate price plus a premium since it was a commercial rental and taxable for me. But the feeling that I definitely wouldn’t rent to that specific person, even if it cost me money, also had something to do with the rudeness with which she explained her low offer. It doesn’t feel good when you yourself are very fair and friendly in how you deal with things. Just as the seller here probably did.

The customs of trade in Germany are simply different from those on the southern bazaar – but both have rules. It is a kind of price negotiation with defined rules of the game.

Strange view – shaped by your own house sale? As if the seller’s initial offer were sacrosanct and always appropriate. Since the seller already lowered the price, his first idea was probably not appropriate to the current market situation. There is no truly transparent market here – meaning a standard catalog with determined purchase prices. Only in Germany does the idea arise to determine real "values" with several standardized regulations. However, the current value is solely what buyer and seller finally agree upon. The price depends on the expectations of the party that has a greater interest in realizing the transaction.

If the seller can wait, in principle he has more time to find a buyer willing to pay the desired price. But if his desired price is not attractive for this property and this location is simply not prime, he will move on the price or ultimately have to rent it out. Whether he will sell to the original poster in the end? Probably not, but who knows.

What I find interesting here is that no one in the discussion even briefly entertains the possibility that the bubble market is not present everywhere, or that it stops working first at the margins. It is assumed that this house will be "gone immediately" next week. But the energy certificate is from October, and the listing still says that zinc gutters will be installed in November 2020. The marketing has thus lasted already 3 months, and 3 interested parties have already failed with the price at the bank. So really bad land value reference prices & at least double in the "real world", everywhere and every year?

Of course, it is particularly unfavorable for the seller here – bought in 2016, price was certainly much lower back then, unrenovated, interest rates were somewhat higher, half-renovated with a lot of own work, and then one has to sell. Naturally, one does not want to take a loss, prepayment penalties, notary fees from the purchase, possibly broker commission, and all this within only four years... The question now is whether someone pays all that or not. Seller’s or buyer’s market?

Additionally, she "ruined" the parking lot, it would have just been a piece of ugly concrete with lines on it.
I didn’t feel like renting to that exact person anymore.

I would feel the same way, especially since renting, unlike selling, involves a more or less permanent connection. With such people, I would assume that they regularly cause problems. I admit that the latter may be a prejudice, self-critically. ;-)

The house shown is beautiful ... you were the first and before the viewing marathon ... that was your chance, you blew it ....

well. it is well photographed. in reality it can look quite different. The seller did everything himself. If he is not a universal genius, you will see that in many places. only they are probably not presented in detail here. And the upper floor still needs to be completely renovated/sanitary at some point. I consider the house too expensive for the area and would have also decided against paying such a price for it.

I find it exciting here that no one in the discussion even briefly entertains the possibility that the bubble market is not present everywhere, or at the edges it stops working first. It is assumed that this house will be "immediately" gone next week.

Yes, I do! :D

That's exactly what I meant with my personal example. Somehow it is being dismissed that there could be sellers who simply have unrealistic expectations.

Why shouldn't a prospective buyer try to nudge the seller in the right direction? That has nothing to do with being rude, as many here label it.

Offer and counteroffer. These are just numbers. Nothing more, nothing less. Personally, I am not offended if someone offers only 20% of the asking price on eBay Classifieds. I just politely decline then.
Maybe I’m wrong and in 2 weeks they come to an agreement after all?!

But it looks different for some here and shows the emotionality involved in private house sales.
"How can he rate my darling so low? Outrageous! I want nothing more to do with him!!" :D

As always, it’s the tone that makes the music. If you only grumble and badmouth, I would lose interest too.
But that does not follow from the thread.

Yes, I do! :D

That's what I meant with my personal example. Somehow it is excluded here that there could be sellers who simply have unrealistic expectations.

Why shouldn't a buyer try to nudge the seller in the right direction? That has nothing to do with being rude, as many here label it.

Offer and counteroffer. Both are just numbers. Nothing more and nothing less. Personally, I’m not offended if someone offers only 20% of the asking price on eBay classifieds. I just politely decline.
Maybe I'm wrong and in 2 weeks a deal will be reached?!

But it looks different for some here and shows the emotionality in private house sales.
"How can he value my baby so low? Outrageous! I don’t want anything to do with him anymore!!" :D

As always, it’s the tone that makes the music. If you’re just whining and disparaging, I’d lose interest too.
But that’s not what comes across in the thread.

That only applies to those who have to sell with low demand. The seller will get his price without time pressure. Time pressure and forced sales lead to a lower selling price everywhere. That also happens in boom areas.