How My Client Scored a Home in Bend at $217K Off List + $10K in Credits

Every once in a while, a deal comes along that makes me want to do a happy dance in the driveway. This is one of those.

My client just closed on a single-family home in Bend for $217,000 LESS than the original list price, plus $10,000 in seller credits. WHATTTT, Yes, you read that right. Final sale price was $532k. It is a 3 bd, 2.5 bth, nearly 2,000 sqft in SE Bend! It was a deal, how did she score this deal you might ask?

It was not simple at the time but here it is below:

• I educated my buyer on the market and spotted a home that had been sitting for a while, not just sitting but over the previous 2 years, it had been on and off the market with different agents, it had expired as a listing, then back on, the sellers had already moved for a job... I realized this home might have motivated sellers... 

• I advised that my buyer tour the home even though it was outside her price point. I knew this home was over priced & I had a hunch that this seller was motivated.   

• I drafted an aggressive low ball offer for my client that made sense for my buyer's budget and not really for the seller.... they accepted!

• And when inspection time rolled around, we negotiated $10k in credits so my client could handle a few repairs on their own terms.

The best part? My client now has an amazing home in Bend and walked in the door with instant equity!

Let me pull back the curtain a bit because this kind of deal doesn’t happen by accident!

1. Data + Comparables

   Before writing anything, I drilled down on recent sales, DOM (days on market), comps with price cuts, and seller motivation. I needed to know where the flex points were.

2. Strategic Offer Structure

   Instead of going in with a lowball that instantly gets tossed, we built in contingencies and credits in a way that made sense. We didn’t ask for “everything under the sun”, just credits knowing that the seller had already moved out of state.  

3. Seller Psychology

4. We crafted terms that were appealing: a clean timeline, strong earnest money, and a narrative: “This buyer is ready, has financing in order, no drama.” That smaller risk sometimes buys you major price concessions.

5. Negotiation & Patience

   The seller countered. We responded. Some back-and-forth. At one point I had to show, diplomatically, “Your house is amazing, but here’s where the market truly is.”

6. Inspection & Credit Leverage

   Once inspection revealed a few things, we asked for $10,000 in credits, which the seller agreed to. That let the buyer direct their own fixes post-close, with cash in pocket or less out-of-pocket at closing.

Why This Matters

• Perception vs. Reality

  In headlines, it sounds extreme: “$217K off list!” But buyers often think “what’s the catch?” There is none, when the groundwork is done right.

• Market Fluidity

  Even in a market that seems rigid, there is movement. You just have to leverage it with data, timing, and smart negotiation.

• Buyer Empowerment

  Many buyers feel they have to “give up something” to win. But with strategy, you can get a lot and win.

What this Means for You (Yes, You)

• Don’t assume “you can’t get discounts anymore”

• Use comps + active listings to spot where sellers might budge

• Build your offer with a narrative that reduces seller risk

• Use inspections to ask for credits (not slam them with laundry lists)

• Stay patient: walk away mentally if the deal doesn’t make sense

If you want to be the story like this, send me an email  [email protected] or shoot me a text (541) six45-0920