Special offer

How Many Homes can a Buyer make an offer on at the same time?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Godzyk Real Estate Services NH License 033394

 Can a Home Buyer make an offer on two different homes at the same time? This particular Buyer saw my listing yesterday and soon with their agent. A couple hours later wanted to see it again and said they were bringing an offer. It was assisted, so i met them there, Looking at the name on the offer it was similar to a name on an offer I received on a bank owned listing of mine the day before. I asked their agent if they put in an offer yesterday, she said no.

As they looked over the home again I pulled the offer up on my Iphone. It had the same buyers name, same buyers address but a different agent. SO I asked the buyer when they came back in from the backyard. Sure enough they said "yes we made an offer yesterday on a bank owned home, we really love it but we understand they can take a couple days to offer, so we made an offer on this home just in case." I loved their honesty. I loved the look on their buyer agents face who had no clue they were working with another agent. When she asked the buyer. the buyers reply was "you never asked if we were working with another agent too."

 

In summary there is two lessons everyone can learn from this. The first being a Buyer should hire one buyer agent to work, not 2 or more. Sure the agent should have asked if they were working with another agent before even showing homes to them. Then, making 2 offers at the same time on 2 properties is not illegal, but the buyer should be prepared to buy two homes if both had been accepted. Making a good offer and limiting contingencies would be a better plan to get your dream home. 

 

A Listing Agent or Buyer Broker's job is to work with their Buyer or Seller through each step of the buying OR Selling process.   LEARN THIS ONE FACT: One should know that All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest Agent or Company. It is important to Hire the BEST Agent. In NH that could be me.  

 

 

You can search for Manchester area Homes For Sale by clicking here. what is for sale by clicking here.  

  

  

I leave you with my infamous words of wisdom that Buyers and Sellers can learn that they do have a choice in Real Estate Agents. Choosing a "GOOD" one, sure can make a difference. I leave you with my simple recipe to make your Real Estate Dreams come true.

 

 

THE TOP TIPS TO FIND A "GREAT" REAL ESTATE AGENT

 


1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT AGENT: As a Buyer OR Seller in this market you need every advantage you can to get your home sold. It starts with choosing the right agent. a. Ask for a Full time agent whose sole job is to sell homes. b. Ask for a Full service agent who will guide you through each step of the selling process. Discount brokers often equal discount services. c. Ask for a Local agent who knows your neighborhood and is readily available when you need them is a must. Out of town agents can leave you high and dry in your time of need. d. Ask for a well experienced Listing Agent can give you the advantages you need when selling your home. Not all agents are created equal. Choose only the best.  

 2. HOME BUYERS SHOULD START BY:  Getting a FREE PRE-QUALIFICATION with a local and trusted lender. They will look at your credit and financial picture and let you know what type of mortgage you may qualify for and what your interest rate and monthly payment may be.   

3. HOME SELLERS SHOULD START BYGetting a FREE MARKET ANALYSIS. Learn what your property is worth in today's market along with how ling it may take to sell. If you are ready to sell now, learn what you should ask for it. How much offers may come in at and what the approximate selling price should be. NH Home owners should contact me now.   

 

 

IN CONCLUSION the key to having a successful purchase or sale can increase simply choosing a better agent. The secret is that All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest. I leave you with now infamous philosophy, which is simple, to provide more personal and professional service to guide my clients through each step of the buying or selling process.

 

 

It does not take magic to turn your "For Sale" sign into a "Sold" sign. it takes a full time Local Agent who specializes in Listing homes like yours.


If you are thinking of buying a Home please contact us. Get a free pre-qualification along with some of the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE through each step of the Buying Prices.

 

 

WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE THROUGHOUT EACH STEP OF THE LISTING AND SELLING PROCESS!!!

 

 

 

 

We are local agents with experience who GET RESULTS!!!

 

We stand by you through every step in selling your home.

 

Another reason that makes New Hampshire a great place to Live, Work and Play.

 

 

 

  • About the Author: Scott Godzyk is the Owner/Broker of the Godzyk Real Estate Services in Manchester NH. With 29 years of experience, Scott is a leading Agent for Listing and Selling Homes in this area. To CONTACT Scott Godzyk please call 603.661.2121 or EMAIL: Sctprop@aol.com . We are Full Time Agents ready to serve all of your Real Estate needs through each step of the buying and Selling process. We are proud to be locally owned and operated.

Comments(37)

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I can imagine the look on the agent's face when your awareness and questions revealed the truth about the offer situation. 

Apr 19, 2015 03:53 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

FEATURED IN CRAP-TACULAR

Sometimes people do crappy things unknowingly - sometimes not.

 

What the - how many offers have you made with how many agents?

Apr 19, 2015 03:54 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Scott Godzyk it is not ok for a buyer to make 2 offers or more - UNLESS they can afford to buy both and intend to do so. I could write a long comment here with the details but to suffice it to say - it won't fly in AZ well.  For so many reasons....

Apr 19, 2015 05:19 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I had a potential client tell me they were not working with another agent.  I found out soon afterwards (I was suspicious of some of the information they DID share) that they were indeed under contract with another agent.  They felt as though they were not being dishonest because they had decided not to work with her anymore.  That, however, did not negate the signed agreement they had with the agent so I was out of there.

That must have been an awkward moment for that buyer agent in this post!

Apr 19, 2015 05:49 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Oh my.  Do buyers ever learn the way to be successful in their house hunt and stay out of court?  That's a situation waiting to blow up in their face.

Apr 19, 2015 07:14 AM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

That's an interesting situation.  I'm sure the buyer's agent was embarassed, but hopefully he learned a lesson to always ask if the buyer is working with anybody.  

Apr 19, 2015 07:15 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Sounds like a dangerous proposition to me Scott. What if both are accepted?

Apr 19, 2015 07:47 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Scott - We're actually starting to see this with our many multiple offer situations. I guess they're just trying to maximize their chances of getting something, but it's bad practice, and if both were to be accepted, it's going to require some bad faith action on one of them, which will carry a risk of litigation.

Apr 19, 2015 08:28 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Oopsie! I bet there was egg on that Agents face...asking if they are working with another agent is a very basic question.

Apr 19, 2015 08:33 AM
Martin E. Kalisker, Esq.
Natick, MA
Real Estate Law From A Practical Perspective

Re the bank owned home: there is nothing wrong with requiring a cashier's check or money order to accompany the offer as a deposit.  That way the funds (which are refundable) are out of the person's account and they will think twice about making multiple offers to see "what sticks".

Apr 19, 2015 11:16 AM
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

I'm sympathetic to the buyers who've missed out on some homes, but I think the key is to make one good offer rather than more than one mediocre offer.  

Apr 19, 2015 12:21 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Scott, this is a classic situation that can put a Buyer in a very risky situation and make problems for their agents as well and they don't even understand that they have placed themselves in possible double jeopardy. It makes sense to query people we have just met, especially those who quickly want to put something on paper.

Apr 19, 2015 02:59 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Scott - I'm sure the agent was more than surprised at the turn of events.  More lessons learned.

Apr 19, 2015 03:45 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Scott, I hope home buyers will read this post. It is important to work with a good buyer agent.

Apr 19, 2015 08:50 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Scott Godzyk As you stated, buyer can make as many offers as they want. Investors used to shotgun offers all the time, but they had a contingency in every offer to get them out should they select one of them. The family who doesn't know any better could end up purchasing two homes.

Apr 19, 2015 09:34 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Depending on how contracts are done in specific states, it could be very dangerous to make multiple offers--what if they all got accepted?

Apr 19, 2015 09:57 PM
Dianne Goode
Raleigh Cary Realty - Raleigh, NC
Realtor/Broker

Now that we have a contract with an option period, it's entirely possible for a buyer to offer on multiple properties at once.  All he would risk would be the small Due Diligence fee.  I'm not saying it's a good idea, but in these days of multiple offers a buyer could hedge his bets by doing that.

Apr 19, 2015 10:14 PM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Somewhat embarassing for agent #2 but then agent #1 doesn't know either do they? Not a good scenario & the buyer is not getting the best representation that he could get.

It's not a good 'hedge your bet' scenario IMHO. What happens if this buyer sees 6 houses he 'sorta' likes because I just don't believe he would like all 6 EQUALLY well.

Apr 20, 2015 02:23 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Scott Godzyk - wow! Can't believe it! Of course, the buyers can write multiple offers (as sellers can get multiple offers), it is not in buyer's best interest.

Apr 20, 2015 06:50 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

We saw a lot of multiple simultaneous offers back in the downturn. It really could be a huge problem to write more than one offer at a time, and really should be disclosed if doing so, and noting that the buyer only intends to buy 1 property.

How embarassing for the buyer agent. Guess the buyers saw nothing wrong with their duplicity

Jeff

Apr 21, 2015 12:40 AM