“Unfortunately, there's no legal limit to how many counteroffers buyers and sellers can make,” says Michele Lerner, author of “Homebuying: Tough Times, First Time, Any Time.” “Counteroffers can be made as part of the negotiating process until there's a signed agreement between the buyer and seller, or the seller ...
There is no limit to the number of counteroffers that can go back and forth. Here's an example of five counters on a property that was listed at $415,000. The buyer had submitted a lowball offer of $400,000.
The seller may choose to send a "multiple counter offer" to some or all of the potential buyers. Multiple offers have been so common that many agents representing home sellers, announce that they will listen to offers on a specified date.
Yes, the seller can accept another offer after a counter-offer, but they will probably have to inform the first buyer that they have received a new offer. The original buyer then has the right to match the new offer or walk away from the deal.
There is a time limit for how long the seller or buyer has to sign, decline, or counter the counteroffer (usually 24 hours). Theoretically, the buyer and seller can go back and forth with counter offers until they reach an agreement.
You want to give the employer an opportunity to make a higher offer without pushing too hard. The rule of thumb when you negotiate salary with a counteroffer is between 10% and 20% of the offer amount.
A counteroffer functions as both a rejection of an offer to enter into a contract, as well as a new offer that materially changes the terms of the original offer. Because a counteroffer serves as a rejection, it completely voids the original offer.
But while you can negotiate, the employer might rescind the job offer if you do so too aggressively. Some employers aren't thrilled with candidates who go back and forth over salary offers multiple times. Also, there may be a set salary range for the position and there may not be much room for further negotiations.
With the multiple counter offer process, the seller decides after one or more of the buyers accepts (or if they counter back and forth, or if one buyer improves his or her offer). No matter the exact path, the seller ultimately must pick one offer and sign off on it to ratify the sale.
On the high end, 20% is a pretty big difference between their offer and your counter, but it's not so big that it will come across as excessive when used in the right situation. We need to determine where in the typical counter range—between 10% and 20%—you should counter.
When sellers believe there is sufficient demand for their home, they may ask potential buyers to submit a 'best and final offer'. Also referred to as sealed bids, this is intended to secure the highest possible price in a fairly active market.
As a buyer, you never have to respond to a seller's counter offer. Again, usually people do give responses, but you aren't required to do so, particularly if you lost interest in the home. If you let the expiration date and time pass, the counter offer is considered rejected.
While laws vary by state, in general, up until that contract is signed by both parties—even after counteroffers have been sent out—all new offers can be considered and accepted. Once both parties have signed it, however, the seller is pretty much locked into the deal.
Time to act quickly!
In California, buyers have 17 days to change their mind once the offer is accepted. Sellers have 0 days. On the other hand, as long as you're negotiating – which often lasts several days – other offers can come in and change the whole game.
This option allows the seller who received multiple offers to submit a counter offer to each prospective buyer containing specific terms the seller desires.
By making a counter offer, the initial offer is considered rejected, and the potential contract will only be formed if the new terms are accepted. You may encounter situations where the distinction between a counter offer and a request for information is crucial.
The short answer is no, they cannot. However, listing agents have a legal and ethical obligation to negotiate the best terms for their clients and to share multiple offer details with them.
For example, a buyer might make an offer that is less than the listing price — say, $400,000 on a home whose asking price is $420,000. The seller, rather than accepting or outright rejecting the offer, can make a counter-offer at a slightly higher price — say, $410,000.
Because no one can force a seller to sign (contracts must always be signed freely and without undue influence to be binding), a seller doesn't have to accept even a supposedly "perfect" offer.
Some negative things can happen when you accept a counteroffer at your current company. Your loyalty could be questioned making it a hostile work environment, you might not be satisfied with the job in the long term, you might not be appreciated as an employee, and you might not be getting paid enough.
80% of candidates who accept a counter offer from their current employer end up leaving within 6 months. If the counter offer was good enough for the employee to accept it and stay, why would they then leave again so soon?
When a buyer submits an offer and asks you to pay the closing costs, you can counter with your willingness to pay but at an increased purchase price, even if it's above your list price.
The short answer is no. Realtors are required to abide by a code of ethics that prevents them from lying about the transaction. If you are certain a Realtor lied to you, you could file an ethics complaint with the local board of Realtors.
If the counteroffer is within your purchase price and has favorable terms, you may choose to accept it and close the deal. Or you can still counter for a review of certain conditions you want changed. In case the counteroffer does not appeal to you in any way, you might be better off withdrawing from the purchase.
Withdrawing a Counter Offer: Legally, all that is necessary to withdraw a counter offer is to communicate it is withdrawn. This may be done verbally, but it is better to do so in writing by using the Withdrawal of Offer (C.A.R. Form WOO) or simply to confirm and document a prior oral withdrawal in writing.