Tag: Market Outlook

Can a Seller Reject a Full-Price Offer?

Concerned guyI was recently asked this question as sellers often have concerns if they list their home slightly lower then recent sales, what would happen if they got a list price offer?  I saw a recent article on this subject and thought I’d address this concern in my blog.

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In short, the answer is yes, a seller can reject an at or above listing price offer.  A listing is a solicitation of offers, not an offer to sell.  This means that an offer at or above asking price does not necessarily mean the offer will be accepted.

In order for there to be a contract between buyer and seller, there has to be a “meeting of the minds” on all the elements of the contract.  The seller must agree to all elements of the offer including price, financing, contingencies, and time for performance.  If the seller has a problem with any of these elements, they have the right to reject the offer
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In a sellers market, listings often receive multiple offers, sometimes much higher than asking price.  This means that a buyers offer can be rejected because another buyer had a more appealing offer in terms of price, financing or terms like no appraisal contingency.

The bottom line … until the buyer and seller agree to all the terms of the purchase, there is no contract.

2015 Market Outlook – One Quick Perspective

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The housing market continues to recover and home values are predicted to continue to rise, but at a slower pace.

Zillow forecast calls for a 2.4 percent appreciation for 2015 for the nation, which is less than half the appreciation rate seen for 2014.

As we in the Bay Area know, our market operates a little differently than the rest of the country.  However, we too will most likely see a slower pace which will help bring more balance to the market, as more previously sidelined sellers decide to list their homes, and more buyers enter the market – particularly younger buyers. These buyers will find themselves with more leverage in the market, after years in which sellers largely held the upper hand in negotiations.

We tend to have multiple offers when the inventory is low.  Last year, the buyers were out in full force the first week of January and it took the sellers until March to get on the market for the “spring selling spree” whens buyers got a little relief from the 30% price increases they saw the first quarter.  From all indications, Kristin forecasts this year sellers will get a jump on listing sooner and it will create a more balanced real estate market.  Those who list in the first couple of weeks of January will most likely see the most offers and get to choose the strongest buyer.  Here is to 2015!

~Kristin

“When observed calmly, all things have their fulfillment.”  Basho Matsuo