There has been much discussion recently about calling the home seller when an agent calls and says they are "going to write an offer" for their clients. Most Real Estate Agents were not in favor of calling the home seller to relay this information but a few made valid points that the seller should be informed. I personally do not inform the seller of "a what if offer" as I was hired for my Professional abilities to keep them off of an emotional Roller Coaster. You can't take an "I'm Going to Write" offer to escrow. I'm going to win the Lottery I just don't know when and I have yet to find a Bank that would make a loan on that presumption even though I'm sure of it.
Three years ago, 2007, I was showing my buyer clients homes in Sun City California. They were ready to buy but there were a few things that needed to be ironed out with their financing before they would get an Approval from their lender. Not a big deal and one home in particular they really liked and wanted more information. So I called the listing agent and she answered my questions and I provided feedback on the home and my clients. Never said they were going to make an offer as that is not my practice as I call when the offer is in writing.
Six days later the financing is cleared and my clients are ready to make an offer. So I check the Multiple Listing Service, MLS, to make sure the property is still available as it was the day before. I'll be darned if it's not listed with a different agent and I immediately called the first agent as I know her. Shock of all shocks when she related to me she had called the sellers and told them an "offer was on the way" after we spoke six days earlier. She said she just Assumed my clients were going to make an offer and when it didn't materialize her Sellers were irate as they were under a time constraint to get their home sold. They cancelled their listing with her and listed with another agent. Couldn't ride the Roller Coaster.
Long story made short my clients offer was accepted and the second agent looked like a Hero to the Sellers. Clients are no different than anyone else in that they are looking for what is tangible and real. "What ifs" and "offers on the way" are really only hearsay and you can't take them to the bank or escrow.
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