Do Sellers Have to Accept the Highest Offer?

Question: “I made an offer on a home and was one of three offers.  The seller made a counter offer and asked everyone to submit the highest price they’d pay.  After we did, the seller asked us to go higher.  This all sounds a little iffy.  Don’t they have to take the highest offer, or
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So Your Offer Was Accepted—Or Was It?

Question: “The seller’s agent texted my agent that our offer on a home was accepted, but now they say they sold the home to someone else.  Is that legal?” Answer: For a real estate contract to be accepted and binding, there must be: A written offer Written acceptance Delivery of written acceptance to the party
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How Much to Offer on a San Diego Home

Question: “When we find the home we want, how much below the asking price do people offer?” Answer: Sorry, there’s no set formula.  What you should offer depends on 4 things: 1. Value This is the #1 factor in what you should offer.  Forget “always offer X% below list price” or “if you want it,
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Avoid Making a Vague Offer on a San Diego Home

Question: “I’d like to make an offer on a house. I want to put in that it’s subject to the seller making any necessary repairs. And…” Answer: Hold on. I’m already seeing problems. First of all, “necessary repairs” is extremely vague. “Necessary” according to whom? When I receive offers on my sellers’ homes with vague terms,
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What Is a Processing or Transaction Fee?

Question: “Hi Gary.  I made an offer on a condo last week.  The agent wrote in that I had to pay their company a $395 transaction fee?  I didn’t get what that was for.  Do you know?” Answer: Some real estate agents and/or firms charge clients an extra fee they call by various names, such
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Are Agents Required to Write Your Offer on a San Diego Home?

Question: “Gary, I’m ticked off.  I wanted to write an offer on a house and your agent refused to write it.  That’s unethical and illegal and I want you to give me a call.” Answer: My agent came said you wanted to write an offer more than 20% below the market value of the home
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Must Value Range Sellers Accept Any Offer in the Range?

Question: [From an agent (who should but doesn’t understand value range pricing) who brought an offer in the bottom half of the value range of a home I had listed] “My clients and I spent hours trying to make a deal happen that isn’t possible.  Why is there a range posted when your clients are
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Why No More Offers Come In After You Accept One

Question: “When I listed my condo, we received several offers.  But after I accepted an offer a few weeks ago we haven’t received any additional offers.  Why is that?” Answer: Once you accept an offer, we’re required by our MLS (Realtor’s multiple listing service) to change the status from “active” to “pending.” Pending tells agents
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Choosing Between Offers on Your San Diego Home

Question: “Hi Gary. I know you have a lot of experience. Suppose you have multiple offers on a home you’re selling. Other than price, what do you look for to decide which offer to accept?” Answer: Excellent question, because there is much more to an offer than price. I also look at: Any costs the
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Should You Rush to Make an Offer on a Home You Love?

Question: My boyfriend and I found a home we love and the agent told us to rush to make offer.  We were not at all comfortable with her pushing us.  Do you tell your clients to rush to make offers?” Answer: In any market, timing can make or break a purchase. I’ve seen people lose
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