So, nothing spurs a little blog activity like nuisance behavior. There have always been agents wanting to "float" a verbal. So much easier, right? Nope. 
Here's what happens when a buyer insists that their agent submit a verbal offer. As the listing agent, I'm going to present the offer to the seller because legally that's what we are charged with doing. However, I will remind them of a conversation we always have at the listing presentation that we must present all offers, no matter how small and no matter whether they are verbal or written. Does the seller have to counter or accept a verbal offer? Nope. Can they insist that the offer be fully written and signed before responding? Yep.
Sitting down with your buyer's agent and actually writing an offer is time consuming because there are many terms to decide upon and a really good agent will take the time to help the buyer understand the many things they will be committing to. Do you suppose that takes place when the buyer simply rattles off a purchase price and an earnest money deposit amount? I am pretty sure that it isn't. A verbal offer usually means that the buyer has no skin in the game. It also can be interpreted as "fishing". Just dangling this bait out there for the seller and hoping they can get a nibble.
You've heard the line "it isn't worth the paper it's written on"? The phrase refers to non-binding contracts. Who wants that?
So, back to the original question...is it easier to float a verbal offer? What do you think? Personally, I don't think so plus the concept isn't exactly what we all learned in real estate school!
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