[kingraham]

Not sure where to post this but I am hoping someone can give me some advice.

So we put a very low ball offer in on a piece of property. The property has been on the market for five months without a single offer coming in. The selling agent is kind of a jerk and has been that way since we first started looking at the property. He received our offer today in the mail and called our agent to say he was going to be receiving an offer this evening from another buyer.

It seems kind of convenient that he just happens to receive another offer the same day he gets ours on a property that had no visits in two months other than ours when we went to see it two weeks ago. Could the sellers agent be lying to try to get us to up our offer? Do Realtors have an ethics code or anything like doctors and lawyers?

[ldbollen]

More than likely he's calling other prospective/on the fence buyers who have looked at the property. He's using your offer to get another offer (hopefully higher). That's common practice IME. Not fun for you, though.

[jamel]

I don't necessarily think this in an ethics thing. He's just doing his job and, although it is hard, you can't take it personally.

We actually happened to get two offers within several hours, but not in quite the same situation. Even so, the agent called everyone who had come through the house that week and told them there were multiple offers...anything to drive up the price I guess.

Again, he's not trying to be mean. He's obligated to get as much as he can for the sellers - this also nets him the highest paycheck.

It might all work out in your favor!

[brook6]

I would not increase my offer, at this point

...if there are 2 offers, the seller may accept one or will come back with counter offer to one of you [probably the highest offer and/or best terms]

if the offers are close, they will start to look at other considerations - contingencies, financing, down payment, etc

I am hoping you gave them a VERY SHORT time to respond, 1-2 days at most

[melodystrother]

I would ask your agent to ask for seller to respond within 24 or 36 hours after receiving. It's normal but nothing unethical about your situation But the pressure is on the seller with placing a time frame and also sends is a message that your a serious buyer. Of course alot depends on seller agent and how he presents the offer. The seller will pick up any and all attitudes an agent carries to the table for consideration. HOpe this helps. As I have always told my clients if this doesnt work out then we keep searching for another property.