What is a counter-offer in a home sale?

A counter-offer is a seller's or buyer's formal response to an offer that changes one or more terms, such as price, closing date or included items, rather than simply accepting or rejecting it outright. Either side can counter as many times as they are willing to negotiate until both agree or someone walks away. Joel Boss drafts counters carefully so each round actually moves the deal forward instead of just restating a position.