Haggling.

We found a house that we like and made an offer (our offer was the asking price and the seller pays the closing costs).  He counter offered.  We accepted it and he made another counter offer.

That's NOT the way haggling works.  I know that a lot of people don't like to haggle (we don't) so we aren't very good at it but it's all about give and take.  Give AND take.  In this area it's a sellers market but if someone accepts your offer does that mean you say "Just kidding, would you go for this offer?".  Nope.

We're thinking that the market is better than he thinks.  Everyday about five houses in our price range and size are listed in the area we're looking at.  Five houses.  Why should we settle for this house?

From what I hear, in other parts of the world haggling is more fun.  Everyone knows what's going on, the haggling is just a game to get to the real price.  Not in the US.  We don't haggle, so we have no idea how to do it without being insulting.  If someone accepts your offer and you say no, you're being insulting or you're dumb.  Which is worse?

Me, if the price is right I go for it.  If not, I don't.  Maybe if more people followed that theory we wouldn't have people trying to haggle even after the sale is made.

Sorry for this post being so simple.  It's been a long day and manana will be just as long.  Welcome to my reader from South Korea.  I bet that a reader from North Korea will be a long ways coming.  Maybe someday.