Can We Write an Offer on that Home Before we See it?

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

 

Denver is experiencing a HOT real estate market, and we have for multiple years now.    In lower price points, you have to drop everything and get to a new listing right away, or there is a possibility the Seller will accept an offer as they come in.   Most Sellers want to review a few offers and see which one will work best for them and make a decision at the end of the weekend.

 

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.

 

   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 tough for relocation buyers that need to begin work, and HAS to find a home.

 

With no overlapping showings makes it more difficult, as depending on the window, you can only have so many showings each day.   There is urgency to get that showing set soon as the listing hits the market.   

 

 

Comments (24)

Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Joan... my experience with sellers is that they are often uncomfortable in accepting offers on their homes from buyers who've not seen it. And I totally understand... I'd be hesitant myself.

Feb 16, 2021 08:28 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Joan Cox listings are in such great demand here, the moment the home hits the market, the showings begin and the offers flow in.... we have had as many as 40 offers with more coming.... the seller stops the offers and the seller makes the selection with the listing agent there to give guidance.... the cleanest deal with the highest price wins....

Feb 16, 2021 08:51 AM
Raymond Henson, SRES, GRI
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

The first thing my real estate mentor taught me was to check the electronic key to see if the agent showed the house.  It really helps.  I remember a few years ago, I listed a mobile home.  Within an hour, I got a great offer, but it was not on a MH contract.  I emailed the agent back regarding using a MH contract and she abruptly canceled the contract.  Yes, there is way too many variables to accept an offer sight unseen.  Even 3D tours really are not enough.

Feb 16, 2021 09:40 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 I always fear they won't like something around the home that they could not see in the photos.

Feb 16, 2021 09:55 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Same here Barbara Todaro !

Feb 16, 2021 09:55 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I agree Raymond! 

Feb 16, 2021 09:56 AM
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

Thank you for the blog Joan Cox . We have a lot of those here especially when working with investors.  We'll do our best on our end.  Obviously it depends on how many offers we get then we decide how to proceed.  Recently heard that a seller received 49 offers, I'm sure the agent is really busy 😉

Feb 16, 2021 10:32 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

This is such a hard subject. Of course we can (and often do) but it is not ideal. Just part of life these days.

Feb 16, 2021 11:37 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Susie Kay Oh my,  - 49 offers?    I have heard of 20+ here, but not as many as you.  WHEW!

Feb 16, 2021 02:00 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Jeff, it is a hard subject, and one you have to discuss when there are multiple offers on the table.

Feb 16, 2021 02:01 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I believe consulting lawyer before stepping over certain contract issues may be a wise decision, never to be taken lightly Joan Cox 

Feb 16, 2021 05:31 PM
Brian England
Vacasa - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

The market here is like that as well and I had a buyer that just didn't get why his offer made without actually seeing the home in person would not be taken as seriously as a similar offer where the person making it had actually seen the home in person.

Feb 17, 2021 04:13 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Joan Cox - I can see sellers not wanting to risk a contract falling through due to a buyer who did no due diligence.

Feb 17, 2021 04:38 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Paul, that is a good decision.

Feb 17, 2021 05:59 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, sometimes it takes a bit of explaining.  If they put themselves in the Seller's shoes, it is easier to understand.

Feb 17, 2021 06:00 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

So true Grant.

Feb 17, 2021 06:00 AM
Ed Silva
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

I have a buyer that is in the lower values and getting very frustrated with being shut out due primarily to her work schedule.  She has been after me to write up an offer even before she sees the property and I advise against tat for reasons you site.

Feb 17, 2021 07:44 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Ed Silva I had a relocation family a couple of years ago come into town for SIX days and we had only 6-7 homes to see the entire time they were here.  We started writing site unseen, and did so for 3 months, and finally he had to report to work, so was back in town, and FINALLY got a home pending.

Feb 17, 2021 08:33 AM
Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Joan,

Sometimes, people are buying in areas they already know or close to a family member, so then it may be easier. Still good to smell the place in person.

Mar 04, 2021 07:46 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

It is common that homes have never been entered got a solid offer.  A bank questioned why the homes used in comp had "o" days of marketing. That is very true these 5000+ sf spec homes all had DOM less than 5 days.

Mar 04, 2021 08:54 AM

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