What happens if a seller doesn’t respond to our offer by our deadline?

Well, that's interesting info for your area. I guess it's just a matter of what you're used to like Dana explains above.

It is so frustrating when sellers don't respond by the expiration date.  It doesn't create a warm and fuzzy for the buyers and just this lack of action by the seller certainly doesn't start things off well.

In New York, there is no set time for an initial offer to be responded to; but professional courtesy should always rule the day!

In PA a Seller has no obligation to the Buyer's deadline , UNLESS it's the Sellers intention to accept the Agreement EXACTLY as the Buyer 's Agent wrote it !

If a seller is holding an offer hoping for multiple offers to create a blind auction a good offer with an expiration date and time should create a quicker decision.

Georgia liooks to be the same as Oklahoma in its rules, but it is prudent for a selling side REALTOR® to check in before a deadline hits to insure his client is getting fair consideration.

It's fine if a buyer wants to leave an offer on the table while a seller thinks.   But if a buyer decides to move on to another property, the seller's agent should be notified that the buyer is withdrawing the offer.

We hardly ever give less than 48 hours for a seller response.  

Time is of the essence. I don't believe most understand the offer, counteroffer thingy either!

I just had a situation today in which we sent the buyer a counter offer on Monday morning and gave the buyer the normal 3 days to respond, not wanting to apply pressure or seem over-bearing. But then the buyer sat on it for 2 days, so we ended up removing the counter and re-issuing a multiple counter while we sent multiple counters to other buyers. 3 days doesn't mean wait the whole days, LOL.

Market conditions are definitely a factor. I usually allow 48 hours for a response. If something comes in in the meantime then a counter maybe pulled if there has been no response.

Good communication between listing and selling agent can help mitigate misunderstandings. Buyers serious about buying a particular home should make a strong offer and not play the counter offer game unnecessarily.

Donna #43:  I agree that the very minimum response from a listing agent should be to inform the buyers' agent that another offer had been accepted.  To totally ignore an unaccepted offer would be rude.

"Time is of the esscence" is at the heart of contract law. Whether to push a seller to respond quickly or give time to respond depends on the circumstances. In any case, calling the listing agent and telling them that you just emailed an offer is always a good thing.   

Communication is the key I try to touch base with the Agent before writing an offer I try to make things run smoothly in the beginning. Thanks for sharing have a great weekend.

Great BLOG Richard. It seems that sellers can take awhile to follow timelines on the paperwork and maybe they're intimidated by the contractual obligation.

Have a good week.

Many sellers don't like to be pressured to reply by a 24-48 hour deadline, and many times the seller is out of town for weekend or just not available to review the offers when they first arrive. I had that scenario twice recently where offers had a 24 hour deadline. The buyers agent didn't even bother to call and ask if seller was available. They just sent them, and they expired in 24 hours. I agree, being practical and submitting a solid offer makes the most sense, and sellers will see that buyers are serious.

Great post today.  Always look forward to your fantastic insights on the real estate world.  Have a wonderful day.. Liz Harris.