As a home seller, there’s no better problem to have than receiving multiple strong offers. It’s proof that buyers see real value in your property — and it often means you’re in a position to negotiate from strength.
But when two (or more) offers are equally appealing, the decision becomes more complicated. It’s not just about picking the highest price — you also need to consider the terms, risks, and long-term implications of each offer. Choosing the wrong one could mean delays, renegotiations, or even a failed sale, while the right choice can lead to a smooth, profitable, and stress-free closing.
If you’re selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO) and facing the “good problem” of choosing between two great offers, this guide will walk you through exactly how to make the smartest decision — without second-guessing yourself later.
🧭 Step 1: Start With the Basics — Create a Side-by-Side Comparison
The first step in evaluating competing offers is to break them down clearly. A simple side-by-side comparison chart will help you see differences at a glance and keep you objective during the decision-making process.
✅ Key categories to include:
- Purchase price
- Financing type (cash or mortgage)
- Down payment amount
- Contingencies (inspection, appraisal, financing, sale of another home)
- Closing timeline
- Earnest money deposit
- Requested concessions (repairs, credits, closing costs)
- Any special terms (e.g., leaseback requests, included appliances)
💡 Pro Tip: Create a simple spreadsheet and score each offer in each category. Sometimes, when you see the offers laid out visually, the better choice becomes much clearer.
💰 Step 2: Look Beyond the Price Tag
It’s tempting to automatically go with the highest offer — and in many cases, that is the right choice. But price alone doesn’t guarantee the best outcome. A slightly lower offer with stronger terms could end up being worth more in the long run.
✅ Examples of when a lower offer might be better:
- It’s a cash offer, which means fewer delays, no financing risk, and no appraisal contingency.
- The buyer has fewer contingencies, reducing the chance of the deal falling through.
- The offer includes a faster closing date, which could save you money on mortgage payments, property taxes, or carrying costs.
- The buyer is more flexible about repairs, move-out timelines, or included items.
💡 Pro Tip: Think about net proceeds — the actual amount you’ll walk away with after expenses, concessions, and contingencies — rather than just the headline sale price.
📑 Step 3: Analyze the Financing Strength of Each Buyer
The buyer’s financial position is one of the most important — and most overlooked — factors when choosing between offers. A higher offer means little if the buyer can’t close.
✅ What to look for:
- Cash buyers: Cash is king. It eliminates financing risks, speeds up closing, and removes the appraisal contingency.
- Mortgage pre-approval: A buyer with a strong pre-approval from a reputable lender is more reliable than one with only a pre-qualification.
- Down payment: A larger down payment can indicate financial stability and reduce the chances of financing falling through.
- Contingencies tied to other property sales: Offers that depend on the buyer selling their current home add risk and potential delays.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t hesitate to ask for additional documentation if you’re unsure about a buyer’s financing strength — especially in a FSBO transaction, where you’re handling due diligence yourself.
🔍 Step 4: Review Contingencies Carefully
Contingencies are conditions that must be met for the sale to proceed — and they can significantly impact your timeline, risk level, and final sale price. Even the most attractive offer can become complicated if it’s loaded with contingencies.
✅ Common contingencies to evaluate:
- Inspection contingency: Allows the buyer to request repairs or walk away based on the inspection results.
- Appraisal contingency: If the appraisal comes in below the purchase price, the buyer can renegotiate or cancel.
- Financing contingency: The sale is contingent on the buyer securing a loan.
- Home sale contingency: The buyer must sell their current home before closing on yours.
💡 Pro Tip: A slightly lower offer with fewer contingencies often poses less risk — and may be worth more in terms of certainty and peace of mind.
📆 Step 5: Consider the Closing Timeline and Your Personal Needs
Timing is another key factor. Even if two offers are identical in price and terms, the proposed closing date could tip the balance.
✅ Questions to ask yourself:
- Do you need to sell quickly to close on another home?
- Would a longer closing give you more time to prepare for your move?
- Are you trying to minimize double mortgage payments or property taxes?
💡 Pro Tip: Flexibility goes both ways. If one buyer is willing to adjust their timeline to fit your needs — for example, by offering a rent-back period — that can add significant value.
💸 Step 6: Factor in Concessions and Requests
Not all offers are “clean.” Some come with additional requests that can impact your net proceeds and negotiation power. These might include:
- Requests for seller-paid closing costs
- Credits toward repairs or updates
- Requests to include furniture, appliances, or other personal property
- Special terms like home warranties or post-closing occupancy
✅ How to evaluate:
Add up all concessions and subtract them from the offer price to calculate the true value of the deal.
💡 Example:
- Offer A: $405,000, but with $7,000 in seller-paid closing costs.
- Offer B: $400,000, with no concessions.
➡️ Offer B nets you more money overall, even though it’s technically lower.
🧠 Step 7: Assess Buyer Motivation and Seriousness
Sometimes, the strength of an offer isn’t just in the paperwork — it’s in the buyer’s intent. Serious, motivated buyers are more likely to follow through without complications.
✅ Signs a buyer is serious:
- A large earnest money deposit
- Quick, professional communication
- Flexibility on terms to accommodate your needs
- Willingness to proceed without unnecessary contingencies
💡 Pro Tip: You can even ask buyers (or their agents) follow-up questions about their timeline, plans, or level of interest. The answers can reveal a lot about how committed they are.
🔁 Step 8: Consider a “Best and Final” Round
If you’re truly torn between two strong offers, you don’t have to decide immediately. You can invite both buyers to submit their “best and final” terms. This often leads one or both to improve their price or terms — and can make your decision easier.
✅ How to do it:
- Contact both buyers and explain that you’re reviewing multiple strong offers.
- Ask them to submit their best and final proposal by a specific deadline.
- Re-evaluate based on the updated offers.
💡 Pro Tip: Be transparent and fair during this process. It maintains buyer trust and keeps negotiations moving smoothly.
🏁 Step 9: Trust the Big Picture — Not Just the Numbers
At the end of the day, choosing between two great offers isn’t about finding the “perfect” one — it’s about selecting the offer that best aligns with your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance.
✅ Questions to guide your decision:
- Which offer is most likely to close on time and without complications?
- Which offer minimizes risk and contingencies?
- Which offer best fits your personal moving plans and financial goals?
Sometimes, the right decision is obvious once you step back and look at the entire picture rather than focusing on one detail.
🏁 Final Thoughts: The Best Offer Is the One That Works for You
Receiving multiple strong offers is an exciting — and rewarding — part of selling a home. But it’s also a moment that requires careful thought and a clear strategy. By breaking down each offer, evaluating all the factors (not just price), and considering your own priorities, you’ll make a decision that you can feel confident about.
Remember: the “best” offer isn’t always the highest one. It’s the one that balances price, terms, certainty, and convenience — and ultimately gets you to the closing table with the least stress and the best outcome.
✅ Final Tip: Don’t rush the decision. Taking even 24 hours to carefully evaluate both offers can lead to a clearer, more confident choice — and often, a better financial result.