The best opening number depends on how the asking price compares with recent closings
If you are asking where your offer should start, I would begin with the gap between the asking price and what homes are actually closing for. In Merrillville, IN, the typical asking price last month was $287,792 and the typical sold price was $245,000, so your first number should reflect that spread.
Here is the constraint I plan around based on the previous 30 days recent offers in Merrillville, IN landed at about 97.9% of asking. That tells me buyers need to stay credible, especially on homes that are priced close to market from the start.
This changes your plan because supply was only 2.59 months last month. On the right house, a low opening number can cost you position quickly. On an overpriced listing, though, the asking gap tells me there may be room to push back.
Context decides the move. The same offer strategy should not be used on every house.
My strategy is to compare the list price with the recent $245,000 closing level and the broader $256,000 typical value estimate before you write. Stay stronger on well-priced homes, and take a firmer negotiating stance only when the asking number is clearly stretching past what Merrillville, IN buyers have recently supported.
