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Comment by throwaway2037

5 days ago

Why would a house seller accept any offer that not the highest total price?

A seller might prefer a cash offer to an offer contingent on the buyer securing credit (credit might fall through). Or, like landlords, a seller might prefer a buyer with a higher credit score (same reason -- buyer is more likely to be able to secure credit and close the deal). A seller might prefer a slightly lower total offer with a serious amount of "earnest money" over a slightly higher total offer without significant earnest money (buyer might try to back out). A seller might prefer to sell to a family with a nice story in their buyer's letter than someone buying a 2nd or 3rd house. Or the seller may think all offers are too low and they can hold out and get a better offer later.