Should You Accept the First Offer on Your WA Home? (2025 Seller Guide)
When a Washington home hits the market — especially in Pierce County, Thurston County, or anywhere near JBLM — it’s not uncommon to get interest right away. Sometimes that very first showing sends over an immediate offer. Sometimes you get an offer within hours of going live. And sometimes the first weekend is so busy that you start wondering:
“Should I just accept the first offer?”
This is one of the most common questions sellers ask me.
And the truth is… there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
The first offer might be:
The strongest
The cleanest
The most motivated
The most committed
Or even the highest you’ll see
But it can also be:
A tester offer
A rushed offer
A buyer who’s not fully committed
An offer that doesn’t reflect the home’s full value
This guide breaks down exactly how sellers in Washington should think about that first offer, so you can make a decision that protects your timeline, your goals, and your financial outcome.
If you haven’t read this yet, it’s a great companion:
Why Homes Sit on the Market in Washington — Real Reasons Sellers Don’t Expect
1. First Offers Are Often the Best Offers — Here’s Why
In Washington, serious buyers move FAST. Especially:
Military families PCS’ing
Buyers relocating for work
Buyers who lost out on other homes
Pre-approved buyers who were waiting for the right fit
Buyers watching new listings daily
These buyers often submit quickly and aggressively.
Common reasons the first offer is often best:
The buyer is highly motivated
They’ve been watching the market
They’re prepared financially
They’re eager to secure a home
They often bring strong terms
This is especially true in:
Puyallup
Tacoma
Bonney Lake
DuPont
Lacey
Yelm
Gig Harbor
Homes in these areas regularly see strong early activity.
For more insights on how sellers evaluate offers, read:
WA Sellers: How to Pick the Best Buyer in a Multiple-Offer Situation
2. However… Fast Offers Can Also Be “Testing the Waters”
Here’s the other side.
Sometimes a buyer moves fast because:
They want to lock the home before competition hits
They’re unsure if the pricing is right
They want negotiation leverage
They haven’t seen many homes yet
They’re trying to feel out your motivation
Fast doesn’t always mean strong.
And enthusiastic doesn’t always mean committed.
This is why evaluating their full offer matters — not just the excitement of “we got an offer!”
3. The Market You're In Tells You Whether to Wait
Whether you should accept the first offer depends heavily on market conditions.
In a HOT WA market:
(High demand, low inventory)
The first offer may be strong — but waiting through the first weekend often brings stronger competition.
In a BALANCED WA market:
(Moderate inventory, steady activity)
You may want to see if additional buyers schedule showings.
In a COOLER WA market:
(High inventory, slower buyer activity)
A strong first offer may be worth accepting.
To understand how WA sellers sometimes wait too long, this blog helps:
Why Washington Sellers Still Think Their Home Is Worth More Than the Market Says
4. How Strong Is the First Offer? (This Matters Most)
You should evaluate the full strength of the offer, not just the price.
Key items to review:
Buyer financing type
Earnest money
Inspection terms
Appraisal protections
Buyer’s lender
Closing timeline
Contingencies
Willingness to cover gaps
Buyer motivation
Buyer agent reputation
An offer with strong terms often beats a slightly higher offer with weak terms.
If you need help breaking down buyer strength, you can read:
What to Fix (And Not Fix) Before Listing in Washington
5. Should You Wait for Multiple Offers?
Maybe — but not always.
You SHOULD wait when:
You have a high-demand home
You’re getting a lot of showing requests
You listed competitively
You have an open house scheduled
You’re confident more offers will come
You SHOULD NOT wait when:
Your first offer is extremely strong
You priced on the higher side
Inventory is increasing
The buyer offers strong terms (waived inspection, appraisal coverage, etc.)
You need the sale to stay aligned with your next purchase
Trying to time the market perfectly usually causes more stress than it’s worth.
6. First Offers Often Come From the Most Motivated Buyers
Some buyers absolutely know what they want — and when your home matches their criteria, they act immediately.
These buyers tend to:
Close on time
Negotiate less
Be more stable
Have fewer emotional swings
Stick through inspection
These are advantages many sellers overlook.
For context on inspection expectations, here’s a helpful blog:
Common Inspection Problems in Pierce County (And How Buyers & Sellers Can Handle Them)
7. When You Should Absolutely Accept the First Offer
Accepting the first offer makes sense when:
It’s clean and strong
Terms match your goals
You’re also buying and need alignment
You have timeline pressure
The inspection terms are favorable
The lender is strong and local
The buyer is highly motivated
This is especially common for:
Military relocations
Sellers buying new construction
Downsizing sellers
Estate situations
Sellers managing a tight timeline
8. When You Should NOT Accept the First Offer
Do not accept the first offer when:
It’s below market value
Showing traffic is strong
You listed competitively
The offer is full of contingencies
The buyer’s lender is weak
The buyer agent is known for slow communication
The terms create risk (long timelines, low earnest money)
Trust early data:
If showings are nonstop, your home is in demand.
9. Pricing Influences Everything
If you priced your WA home correctly based on comps, trends, and condition — the first offer often reflects the home’s true value.
If you priced:
Low intentionally → Expect multiple offers
High intentionally → Expect negotiation
Right at market value → First offers matter more
For a full breakdown of pricing strategy:
How to Price Your Home Right in Today’s Market
10. The Bottom Line: Don’t Rush, Don’t Hold — Evaluate
Here’s the real truth:
Accepting the first offer is neither good nor bad. It’s strategic.
Your decision should be based on:
Strength of the terms
Market signals
Your timeline
Buyer motivation
Upcoming showing traffic
Your next move
Choosing right protects your equity and your peace of mind.
If you’ve just listed your Washington home and you’re wondering whether to accept that first offer or wait for more, I’d love to walk you through the pros and cons. Together, we’ll make the best decision for your timeline, goals, and bottom line.
Written by: Lani Fisher — Washington Realtor Helping Everyday Buyers & Sellers With Confidence