What should a seller issue if they want to accept a purchase offer but only with a price increase?

When a seller wishes to accept a purchase offer but specifies a different price—essentially wanting to negotiate the price upwards—they must issue a counteroffer. A counteroffer serves as a response to the original offer and alters the terms, in this case, increasing the price.

This process is essential in real estate transactions, as it communicates to the buyer that while the seller is interested, the terms must be modified for acceptance. By issuing a counteroffer, the seller allows the buyer the opportunity to either accept the new terms, propose a different price, or choose to walk away from the negotiation entirely.

Issuing a new offer would not be appropriate, as that could imply starting the negotiation process from scratch without acknowledging the existing offer. An acceptance statement is also not suitable here because it would not convey any changes to terms. Finally, a rejection notice would mean the seller is refusing the original offer outright, which does not align with the intention to negotiate. Thus, the counteroffer is the correct and effective tool for this scenario.