Update: Builder Offer

[MrChairman]

I just got an offer back from the builders corporate office. We sent in 366k with our preapproval for 390k. Big mistake! The builder sends us an offer back for 387k. 7k more than their original offer. I sent an e-mail back to the sales agent stating that our max is 370k and since we are going VA the other 20k will be used for closing costs if needed. I'll keep you guys posted. Lesson learned, never show your hand. Luckily for me I'm don't get emotionally attached to these things so it's very easy for me to walk away.

[ezdriver]

I'm a sales counselor with a national builder. We do preapprovals for all of our buyers so we know what they qualify for ... but that never influences our negotiations. We know at what price we're willing to sell the house and it is up to the buyer to decide how much they will pay to get the house. I even tell my buyers that we fully accept that what they are willing to pay is the relevant number. A builder supposedly using a buyer's pre-approved spend level to set a ask price is bad business. The buyer is in control so you have the correct attitude.

[StartingOver10]

Agree with EZ. One question though, how are you going to use that $20k for closing costs if you don't put it in the contract? Seller contribution has to be written into the contract as part of the pricing.