Scoring high on the list of possible disasters is receiving a lowball offer - 10 to 30 percent below list price - from a buyer who seriously needs a reality check.

So, what's going on? Did the buyer not see the gorgeous kitchen you remodeled? Or the beautiful view of the backyard? Heck, this home is worth every penny you're asking for!

Stop, take a deep breath, and focus on the patch of blue in this stormy sky.

"A low-ball offer can lead to a successful sale if the seller plays his cards right," says Kimberly Sands, a broker with Coldwell Banker Advantage in Apex, N.C. After all, you are the one who ultimately decides whether to accept or reject your offer.

In other words, the ball (or rather, the low ball) is in your court. So, take these steps to turn a bunt offer into a home run.

First, don't be insulted

Just because a buyer starts with a lowball offer doesn't necessarily mean he's trying to take advantage of you.

They may have moved to the area from a market where low-ball offers are the norm or where home prices are significantly lower than in your area.

"It's natural to get upset when you get an offer at a low price," Sands says, adding that the initial offer is a starting point." There's usually room for negotiation, so I never tell a client to reject the offer outright."

Respond with grace

A little gratitude - even if you're not exactly thrilled with the size of the offer - can go a long way.

"It doesn't do you any good to let the buyer know that you think their offer is garbage," Sands says. In fact, responding in a negative tone has the potential to kill the deal forever.

"It sounds like common sense - don't anger the buyer - but many sellers are swayed by their emotions," Sands adds.

Put yourself in the buyer's shoes: Would you raise your offer for a rude seller? Probably not. So cushion your response when making a counter-offer to a buyer. Try: "We appreciate your offer, and we'd love to work with you. Here's our counteroffer."

Write a strategic counteroffer

Assuming you've priced your home reasonably, don't feel pressured to cut your asking price significantly.

"Some people are so eager to sell their homes that their counteroffer is actually too low," Sands laments. It's OK to give up some things, but you don't need to meet buyers halfway.

Offer the buyer a small price reduction - $5,000 to $10,000 for a $300,000 home, $10,000 to $20,000 for a $1 million home - and briefly explain your reasoning.

You can provide information about the comparable properties you used to determine the list price (you did look at comparable properties, didn't you?)

Another option: Have your agent draw the buyer's attention to some of the great features of your home (for example, your new energy-efficient HVAC system).

Expect a counter-offer on your counter-offer

Agreeing on a purchase price can feel like a chess game: You make a move, and the buyer makes a counter-offer (in this case, a counter-offer).

Sands says, "When a buyer makes a low-ball offer, the buyer and seller may go back and forth for a while before they agree on a sale price." He adds that the seller needs to remain patient throughout the process.

Negotiating other terms

Having trouble with the sale price? There are other ways to make the deal work in your favor.

Depending on your schedule, you can ask the buyer to move up the settlement date. For example, if you have already purchased your next home, settling in 30 days instead of 45 days will reduce the amount of time you will need to take on two mortgages at once.

You can ask the buyer to reduce contingencies. One that will help you save money: Persuade the buyer to change their home inspection contingency to an information-only inspection, which basically means you won't be required to make any repairs.

Another negotiation point: Get the buyer to increase their earnest money deposit. This will give you greater assurance that this person is serious about buying your home.

"As a seller, you always want the buyer to have more skin in the game," Sands says.

The bottom line is this: No seller would dream of getting a low-ball offer, but with the right strategy, you can turn a mediocre bid into a great sale.