“Dear Listing Agent: Please Call to Discuss My Client’s Offer”
It doesn’t happen often, but once in awhile a Buyer’s agent will shoot an offer to a Listing Agent (representing the Seller) and wait for a response.
And wait, and wait, and wait (note to laymen: “Realtor time” is faster than “normal time.” So, a full day is a LONG time to wait for another agent to acknowledge an offer).
What are the possible explanations?
I come up with four:
A. The Listing agent is on vacation.
B. The Listing agent is sick (or a family member is).
C. The Buyer’s agent has incorrect contact information.
D. The Listing agent is stonewalling while they present their own offer to the Seller.
Post-July 4 Holiday
Especially this year, when the 4th fell on a Thursday (tempting LOTS of people to take a week off), you’d guess “A.” is by far the most common explanation.
At least for the first day (Monday) following the holiday.
Least likely?
“B.” and “C.”
Even agents who are sick can usually acknowledge emails or phone calls — if only to hand off to a colleague who’s covering for them.
And if they’re really sick, they absolutely will have backup coverage.
Meanwhile, if you get the wrong email address or phone number, you usually get a “bounced” (returned) email — or someone else’s voicemail recording.
It’s also the case that agents today typically have multiple points of contact to try, if one fails.
Which leaves “D.”: the agent is purposely incommunicado while they try to sell the home to their own client (and collect double the commission) — a practice referred to as “single agent dual agency” (also known as “hogging”).
Weighing the Context
An experienced Buyer’s agent will usually have a good sense when that’s a legitimate concern.
So, the risk is highest when a listing just came on the market, is in a hot neighborhood and price point, and is “priced to sell” (as they say) if not low.
Conversely, a home that’s been on the market for awhile and appears to be priced high is less likely to be the subject of multiple offers.
But, you never know.
Buyer’s Agent Options
What recourse does a Buyer’s agent have in such a situation?
They can contact the agent’s Broker, and ask them to intervene.
They can also try to contact the owner directly, to let them know that their client has written an offer they’d like to present.
However, both of these are last resorts, and sure to create a more difficult (if not acrimonious) transaction.
But, better an acrimonious transaction than none at all — especially if the Buyer really likes the house.
See also, “Rationalizing Taking the (Holiday) Weekend Off.”
