Special offer

Writing on a Home Before Seeing It

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 DRE# ER40011786

 

Denver has experienced a slight shift in the real estate market, and seeing homes linger on the market longer than past years.   In the lower price points, you still could see a frenzy, as there are not many on the market.  

 

On several occasions Buyers living here in Denver have asked if they can write an offer before they see it, and get their offer into the Seller.  Over the weekend, I had a Buyer's Agent tell me her Buyers wanted to write the offer prior to seeing the home.  Although each and every offer received must be presented, most listing agents will put other offers ahead of ones where Buyers have not physically been in the home.   Especially relocation Buyers, as if they come out and see the neighborhood and/or the home in person, they may change their mind.    Taking a home off the market for a Buyer that has not seen the home is usually not a good idea, especially if priced below $500K with so many Buyers looking right now.

 

It is always best for the Buyers to view the home, see the neighborhood, and the all the amenities the area has to offer before submitting an offer.    In past years, we have seen a 25% fall out rate, due to Buyers making quick decisions, then having second thoughts, or writing on two homes, and having both offers accepted.   

 

 

Posted by

Joan Cox
Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
House to Home, Inc.

Serving the Denver Metro area including all suburbs


Helping Buyers and Sellers achieve their real estate dreams, one house at a time!

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Comments(22)

Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

In Wisconsin...it is required...though we have seen some "missteps" that at the very least...the Selling agent must see the property...can take a Facetime  tour with buyers who may be out of town.

Feb 19, 2019 05:44 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Doug, luckily, our market has cooled enough where buyers do not need to make rash decisions, and can go home and think about a purchase overnight.

Feb 19, 2019 06:42 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Michael, that is so true.

Feb 19, 2019 06:43 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Sally, interesting, as we don't have any rules like this.

Feb 19, 2019 06:43 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I never advise for an offer to be made before someone actually sees the home, but I know in some cases it is the only way it can be done in order for them to get the home.  Recently I had an out of town buyer do just that and he saw the home in person yesterday and liked it even more than he thought he would, so that made me happy to see.

Feb 19, 2019 06:57 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Obviously, the heat of the market determines what you do. I would not fully consider an offer until the buyers had come through the home.

Feb 19, 2019 06:58 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Brian England I too have had out of state buyers view the home through skype, and write on it.   It does feel good when they actually see it in person, and love it more! 

Feb 19, 2019 07:10 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Jeff, that is how I feel as well.

Feb 19, 2019 07:12 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Yes, Joan.  I have a situation coming up soon where the buyer I represent will write an offer on a condo he hasn't seen.  I am trying to convince him to come down first.

Feb 19, 2019 07:56 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Joan. I am right there with you on this one. These offers mean nothing.

Feb 19, 2019 08:59 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I always check the SUPRA showing when an offer arrives to determine whether the agent has shown the property. With so many unattached buyers running around like crazy, I want to make sure they have seen the home before advising the seller to accept. I'm seeing the same nuttiness in Sacramento.

Feb 19, 2019 07:21 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't think I've ever had a client ask to write an offer before seeing a house, unless I previewed it first and gave them a detailed description. I've done this several times, quite successfully, but I also knew my clients' needs, tastes, and preferances very well. I would not be happy to do this for someone I don't really "know." And I'd be hard-pressed to recommend to a seller client that they accept such an offer. What's interesting to me now that I think about it, is that the several times I wrote offers for clients who had not seen the home, the listing agents never asked.

Feb 20, 2019 05:29 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Gabe Sanders will it be for a 2nd home, or primary?   I think as a 2nd home, maybe not as important.  Good luck.

Feb 20, 2019 06:06 AM
Gabe Sanders

Primary - a condo.

Feb 20, 2019 09:48 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Sheila, just to get your offer in to secure the property until you can get into the home is nonsense, in my opinion.

Feb 20, 2019 06:06 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Elizabeth, I would imagine you would be seeing this craziness too in your market.

Feb 20, 2019 06:07 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Nina Hollander interesting you have written these offers, but is so important to "know" your clients tastes, likes and desires.    I too wrote on a condo here for a PA buyer for her 2nd home.   She had seen a similar condo on a different floor, same finishes, and did close on the new condo.

Feb 20, 2019 06:08 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Joan Cox hi Joan... in one of those cases, they are still happily living in the home 18 years later. In the other, they lived in the home some six years before returning to California... but they loved their home.

Feb 20, 2019 06:24 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Joan, for sharing your experience and your advice.

Feb 20, 2019 12:48 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Roy, when you get multiple offers on a property, having one offer from a buyer that has not been in the property may not be in their favor.

Feb 21, 2019 07:27 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

This is such a good point, and knowing the seller's perspective is especially helpful to buyers.

Feb 26, 2019 08:22 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Thank you for your comment Lise.

Mar 21, 2019 02:24 PM