Boston Condos For Sale. Does A Seller Need To Respond To An Offer? Boston Condos For Sale Ford Realty

Boston condos for sale. Does a Seller need to respond to an Offer?

Does this story sound familiar? You put an Offer on a Boston Seaport condo for sale? You’re are waiting and waiting for a response, complete silence from the Seller. The question, does the seller have to give a buyer a counter offer? The short answer is no. The seller is under no obligation to respond in any shape, manner or form. Is it smart for a Boston Seaport condo seller not to respond even if the offer was very low? No. But is it in their right to do so? Absolutely.

Boston Condo Seller’s Four Options When Receiving an Offer

The seller has four options when receiving an offer. Those options are:

Agree with all the offer points and accept the offer
Decline the offer – hopefully in a gracious manner
Propose a counter offer
Don’t respond

Why Wouldn’t Sellers Propose a Counter Offer on their Beacon Hill Condo for Sale?

Of course, not responding is rude, disrespectful and shows a gross ignorance of the negotiation process. Why would a presumably serious seller not make a counter offer to a bona fide written offer? The answer, in my experience, lies at the fault of the listing agent.

Smart Sellers Counter Even Low Ball Offers

The listing agent’s job is to educate the seller about the negotiation process. Sellers need help; they don’t negotiate very often. The listing agent cannot control what the buyer offers, but the listing agent can advise the seller that the offer is the first step in a process to find common ground. Boston condo buyers rarely make their first offer their best offer, and occasionally their first offer is a good deal away from what they will really accept.The listing agent should make every effort to convince the seller to propose of counter offer and attempt to advance the negotiation.

Smart Buyers Don’t Make Low Ball Offers

On the other hand, Boston condo buyers who make “low ball” offers – especially in a highly competitive housing market like Beacon Hill or the Boston Seaport District– are doing themselves a disservice. Patently low ball offers will alienate inexperienced Beacon Hill condo sellers very quickly as they can’t separate the emotional value of their Beacon Hill home and the business details of the transaction. Sometimes when the seller (or buyer) feels insulted, personal ego enters the equation causing everyone to sour on the deal. Deals that would have probably come together are lost because someone’s ego is damaged than any other single reason. Now, don’t misunderstand us. We aren’t saying buyers shouldn’t negotiate lower than list price offers. What we’re saying is don’t offer $100,000 for a home that’s priced (and supported by comps) at $500,000.

Buyers Don’t Know How to Respond to No Response

In today’s Beacon Hill condo market, it’s not uncommon for the seller to respond to “bad offer” by either not responding or simply rejecting the buyer’s offer without any kind of reason. I don’t think that’s a smart approach, but it happens. With so many multiple offers and more than a few over-bids occurring, many buyers are bewildered about the best course of action and how best to proceed. After all, they don’t buy a home very often so they don’t get a lot of practice.

Work with a Buyers Agent who Can Educate and Coach You

It’s extremely important that a downtown Boston condo buyer work with a Buyer’s Agent who is willing and knowledgeable enough to guide and counsel the buyer through each step. To be clear, the buyer’s agent’s job is to educate and explain what options the buyers has and what may or may not be feasible. The buyer’s agent’s job is not a decision making role, but rather that of being a knowledgeable counselor and adviser; the buyer is the sole decision-maker because – after all – it’s your money and your decision.

Ready to Start Your Home Search in Downtown Boston?

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