Should You Accept the First Offer on Your Home?

By Ted Holmes

A lifelong resident of Chappaqua, Ted began his career as a mortgage loan officer over 20 years ago, eventually co-owning The Asset Center, Inc., a mortgage brokerage firm in Armonk, NY.

If you’re a homeowner thinking about selling in Northern Westchester County, New York, you’re likely weighing every piece of advice to maximize your profit. You’ve probably heard the classic real estate axiom: “The first offer is usually the best offer.” But in a fast-moving market like ours, is that oversimplified advice actually costing sellers money?

Today, with buyers having instant data and tools at their fingertips, I believe that advice misses the bigger picture. The truth isn’t about taking the first offer; it’s about creating the environment for the strongest offers, and they almost always come early.

We analyzed closed sales data from February and March 2025 in Northern Westchester to find the real story. Here’s what the numbers reveal and what it means for your sale strategy.

1. The critical 3-week window. In real estate, we know homes that generate viewings and offers within the first three weeks on the market consistently achieve better results. Our local data confirms this isn’t just a theory; it’s a profitable fact.

2. The 10% price swing. The data reveals a dramatic 10% price swing determined almost entirely by timing. Our analysis of recent Northern Westchester sales shows a stark contrast: homes that went under contract within the critical first 21 days on the market sold for an impressive average of 7% over the asking price. Conversely, homes that lingered beyond that three-week window sold for an average of 3% below asking.

This isn’t a minor difference but a decisive gap in your final proceeds, proving that market momentum in the initial weeks is a powerful driver of your home’s ultimate sale price.

3. Why early offers are strong offers. Offers that come in the first few weeks typically come from the most motivated, prepared buyers. These buyers have been watching the market, have seen competing homes, and know exactly what it takes to win. They aren’t testing the waters; they’re ready to act. This competitive environment is what drives prices above asking.

4. The key isn’t the offer; it’s the price. Here’s the most crucial takeaway: To attract those strong early offers, you must price your home correctly from day one. An overpriced home scares off the very buyers you need most, causing you to miss that critical three-week window. The longer a home sits, the more leverage shifts to the buyer, leading to price reductions and weaker negotiations.

For Northern Westchester sellers, this data clarifies your priority. Your goal isn’t to simply get an offer quickly; it’s to price strategically to ignite immediate demand. This creates a competitive scenario where multiple strong, early offers can actually materialize, allowing you to choose the best terms, not just the first ones. Working with an agent who uses hyperlocal, real-time data to find that “sweet spot” price is the single most important decision you can make.

In today’s market, the “first offer” adage is outdated. The modern rule is the “right price” rule. Price it right from the start, and you create the conditions for your best offer, which will almost certainly come early.

If you’re considering selling your home in Northern Westchester and want a data-backed pricing strategy designed to maximize your profit in the first critical weeks, call (914) 548-6179, email ted.holmes@raveis.com, or visit http://www.theholmesteamny.com to schedule a confidential consultation with The Holmes Team at William Raveis Real Estate.