06/13/2026
“Motivated Seller.”
It’s one of the most overused phrases in real estate.
A lot of buyers hear “motivated” and think 20% off asking price.
A lot of sellers hear “motivated” and mean they’re ready to move… but they’re still not giving the house away.
Here’s the truth:
Motivation isn’t a percentage.
It’s a seller’s willingness to negotiate, work through issues, adjust expectations, and get to the closing table.
A seller who accepts 3% less than asking may be highly motivated.
A seller who won’t budge $1,000, won’t address inspection concerns, and won’t negotiate terms may not be.
The real question isn’t “How much off asking price will they take?”
The real question is, “How willing are they to make a deal?”
What do you think? When you hear “motivated seller,” what percentage off asking price comes to mind?
