Can you make a lower offer on a short sale?

If it's listed for 129K could we offer say 124K?
We're looking to buy a condo for my mom but we have never dealt with a short sale.

Re: Can you make a lower offer on a short sale?

Yes, you can, especially in this market. I think normally you wouldn't since on a short sale the bank is accepting less than what is owed on the house, but like I said, in this market, I think anything goes and the bank would sooner take 5K less than not sell the place at all. We offered less on a short sale last year. Ultimately we didn't get the place, but we still did offer less. But also beware that many short sales try to get a bidding war going since they're already selling the place for less.