A simple way to separate negotiating noise from a real signal
When a low offer hits your inbox in San Bernardino, CA, the real decision is whether the market is speaking or that buyer is simply testing you. I use one January benchmark to keep sellers from overreacting.
If you only remember one data point from January 2026, make it this offers landed about 98.7% of asking in January 2026 for single family homes plus condo and townhouse units in San Bernardino, CA. Also in January 2026, a typical sold price was $509,000. Where people get this wrong is treating every low offer as proof they overpriced the home. Some metrics were not reported for February 2026 itself, but the January 2026 98.7% benchmark still gives a reality check if your offer is far below that standard, it may be a terms problem, a condition problem, or a buyer fishing for a discount. Counter with structure, not emotion respond with pricing that stays aligned to about 98.7% of asking as the January 2026 planning baseline unless you have clear evidence your home is outside the typical condition or feature set. Tighten up timelines and buyer proof early so you do not trade price for uncertainty. If you choose to adjust price, do it decisively and once, then relaunch the story rather than dripping reductions that invite more low offers.
