Special offer
Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -  (Madeline Island Realty)

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Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I say thank you very much, please send over a formal, written Offer to Purchase & Conract so I can present something to my sellers.

Mar 30, 2016 09:53 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,271
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

There is no  'allure'. The agents are lazy & are getting their time wasted by a buyer that wants to throw out #'s off the cuff.

I always start the conversation with 'that's nice .....'.  

Had a buyer email me from my website & made an 'email' offer on my listing 45K below list price.  With the little notation that if I had the sellers take the offer I could represent both sides. How nice! Sent the email to the seller so they could see what we have to deal with. Of course, they rejected that opportunity!

Mar 30, 2016 09:59 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Put it in writing! There is more to an offer than price!

Mar 30, 2016 09:19 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

I choose NOT to support their business model.

Mar 30, 2016 09:03 PM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Put it in writing then I'll react

Mar 30, 2016 08:26 PM
Rainmaker
1,197,072
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

I don't do Anything until it is in writing. 

Mar 30, 2016 09:05 PM
Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I think it is a nice starting point and one simple step in a complicated dance! 

I do point out to both the Buyer Agent and the Seller that if we receive a written offer from someone else, their verbal is toast!

Mar 30, 2016 11:23 PM
Rainmaker
911,328
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

I present all offers including verbal offers to sellers which is what we are required to do unless I have written instructions from the sellers telling me not to bring them verbal offers. I have had more than one contract go to settlement that started with a verbal offer.

Mar 30, 2016 09:19 PM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I discuss the process for offers with my new sellers, when at the listing appointment. So far, they've always indicated they want the offers in writing. So if I were to get a verbal offer, I'd tell the agent, "Thank you very much; my sellers will only consider written offers. As soon as you send over in writing, I'd be happy to share."

Mar 30, 2016 08:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,634
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

"hey that's great! put it writning."

Mar 31, 2016 12:29 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I tell them to put it in writing accompanied by a check and a pre-approval letter....

Mar 31, 2016 12:08 AM
Rainmaker
152,661
Chrissi Chapman Topoleski
Coldwell Banker Realty - Woodbridge, VA
Helping agents live an exceptional life!

The clients who insist on my offering verbally (2) are told nothing in real estate is binding unless in writing, and that the agent will ask for me to write an offer, which is what always happens. I received one, and while waiting for the agent to put it together a full price offer came in and my client accepted it.

Mar 30, 2016 11:08 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

It depends on my sellers instructions.

Mar 30, 2016 10:33 PM
Rainmaker
556,536
Greg Cremia
Shore Realty of the Outer Banks - Nags Head, NC

I used to present them and negotiate them with my sellers but the written version wa never the same as the verbal was, so i don't present them anymore.

Mar 30, 2016 09:58 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Tell them to put it in writing.

Mar 30, 2016 09:43 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

If it has merit , I tell them to put it in writing . 

Mar 30, 2016 09:36 PM
Rainmaker
969,888
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Eric, I would accept or even give them the time of day. 

Mar 30, 2016 09:15 PM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

I report all offers to seller

Apr 14, 2017 06:04 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,482
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

We are to present all offers, verbal or written.  Only the written can be approved.  

Apr 02, 2016 12:38 AM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Eric,
I am affirming but encourage them to put it in writing. It is easier for a seller to say yes to a written offer than a verbal offer.

Apr 01, 2016 08:05 AM
Rainmaker
2,707,721
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Thank you, when will you have the written offer to me (along with the pre-approval letter or POF)?

Mar 31, 2016 02:51 PM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

I ask them to put it in writing

Mar 31, 2016 01:57 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Eric Kodner - I let the buyer's agent know that my seller client would need something to prove that you have the offer from your client.

I'd appreciate if you can send it in writing - even on a piece of toilet paper...lol!

Mar 31, 2016 01:52 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I tell them when they get it in writing and signed by the buyers then I will meet with my sellers and get a response. I do not present verbal offers because they don't mean anything.

Mar 31, 2016 12:11 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Sounds good.  I look forward to presenting it to the seller once I receive the written offer. 

Mar 31, 2016 11:59 AM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

I don't accept anything, unless it is is writing and signed.

Mar 31, 2016 10:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Refuse to accept or process it. All our offers must be in writing.

Mar 31, 2016 09:37 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I thank them an ask when I will see he written copy

Mar 31, 2016 08:41 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I don't react at all, it is not an offer.

Mar 31, 2016 07:29 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

With appreciation, but i would not do anything about it till I get something in writing. 

Mar 31, 2016 06:28 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

My listing agreement states that we will only consider written offers.  And, that's what I tell those who give me verbal offers.

Mar 31, 2016 04:45 AM
Rainmaker
1,325,299
Donald Urschalitz
Lubeck Realty Group - Jupiter, FL
P.A. Realtor ABR RSPS North Palm Beach County

Will not present them unless in writing.

Mar 31, 2016 03:31 AM
Rainer
77,119
Sandra Steele
Wise Choice Properties, Sedona/Verde Valley Branch - Cottonwood, AZ
Integrity, Knowledge - 37 Years of Experience!!!

Veral offers work.  They help instead of writing several counter offers back and forth so you and the client can save a lot of time.  Every situation is different.   Put most of your offers in writing to begin with but there is a chance you will be able to put a transaction together by using a verbal offer in some cases.

Mar 31, 2016 03:27 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,605
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Put it in writing.

 

Mar 31, 2016 03:11 AM
Rainmaker
637,434
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

I've had "introductory" type of questions asked especially on difficult to sell properties by agents. But verbal offers? I've listened to them in the past (usually low ball offers) and passed them on to my client, but interestingly, these agents can't get their clients to make a written offer. If a consumer calls me? Hey, I listen to people. Sometimes THEY become my client for something else.

Mar 31, 2016 02:50 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I tell them that verbal offers are worth the paper they're written on.  If it isn't in writing, it won't be presented.

Mar 31, 2016 02:45 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Send me a 1 page LOI which you can email, outline the basic terms and put a buyer name on it. I am weary of jacking up my sellers with non-offers, but need to get everything to them and it isn't too much trouble to send an email, Your Highness, is it? 3:)

Mar 31, 2016 01:50 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Eric,

Put it in writing.  A

Mar 31, 2016 12:53 AM
Rainmaker
444,170
Dianne Goode
Raleigh Cary Realty - Raleigh, NC
Realtor/Broker

Looks like a consensus:  I won't negotiate an offer that's not in writing.   

Mar 31, 2016 12:47 AM
Rainmaker
655,940
Jeffrey Jones
AZ Home Seekers - San Tan Valley, AZ
AZ Home Seekers, azhomeseekers.com

I tell them I will pass it along but the seller will only respond to written offers. Since we are required to present all offers.

Mar 31, 2016 12:13 AM
Ambassador
3,164,269
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

with, "well get me that in writting and I'll take it to my client".  I don't legally have to present unenforceable offers and in my state that's what a verbal offer is.

Mar 30, 2016 11:49 PM
Rainmaker
140,768
Joan Dickie
Keller Williams Premier Realty - La Crosse, WI
Keller Williams Premier Realty

They're just fishing an offer they're pretty sure not with the time to write up. I've done verbal fishing with counters,never with initial offers.

Mar 30, 2016 11:48 PM
Ambassador
5,049,033
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

They don't want to go to the trouble of writing it up! And perhaps they already know it won't fly

Mar 30, 2016 11:40 PM
Rainer
225,526
Bob Betel
Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc. - Sweetwater, TN
President, Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc

Thanks for your interest, but if you are serious, send me a contract

Mar 30, 2016 11:32 PM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

As with any offer, "Put it in writing and we will take a look at it".

Mar 30, 2016 11:24 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

I don't.  If they leave a message on voicemail they receive an email reminding them to follow the Seller's Written Instructions which are clearly posted in a Private REALTOR Document in the Listing!! 

Mar 30, 2016 11:20 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Eric Kodner I don't! Talk is cheap. Put it in writing and I will present it.

Mar 30, 2016 11:14 PM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

I don't get it...why would any buyer agent do that? I would not bother presenting a verbal, and never have.

If I were a listing agent my first thought would be that the agent is inexperienced and wasting time with a half assed buyer.

Serious buyers don't do verbals...

Eve

Mar 30, 2016 11:14 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,163
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I encourage upfront discussion with numbers. Then, I require a written

Mar 30, 2016 11:03 PM
Rainmaker
823,579
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

Yes, I thank them for their interest and then ask them to put it in writing, so I can present it to my sellers. Too many times agents have gotten their sellers involved only to find out that the offer wasn't firm and the buyers were just testing the waters.

Mar 30, 2016 10:54 PM
Rainmaker
644,025
Greg Large
ERA Real Solutions - Grove City, OH
A Tradition of Trust

A verbal offer is no offer, and is not worth the paper it is not written on. Unless the Seller can see ALL the terms in a written offer, there there is nothing to accept, and even IF they did, could change their mind and not sign if presented in writing with the previously agreed verbal terms.

Mar 30, 2016 10:53 PM
Rainmaker
516,437
Brenda J. Andrew
ULTIMA REAL ESTATE - Willis, TX
Professional Realtor in Conroe/Willis, TX

They are not tied to it!  If it's verbal and not in writing then it would be harder to enforce.  If it is an agent I know and trust and think the offer may work out, then I ask them to go ahead and write it up.  If it is so ridiculous that there is no chance it would work out, then I just let them know they would have to come up on the price.  If the buyer is serious, they will put it in writing.  If I am on the other end and have a buyer asking to put in a low offer, I will contact the agent and let the agent know that I did not want to waste anyone's time and didn't want to insult the seller.  Then I ask the agent if they think I should go ahead and write up.

Mar 30, 2016 10:49 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

It depends on what the discussion is with the seller.    I ask:  How would you respond to a verbal offer?  I talk about offer strategy upfront so  he/she/they understand there's more than price and it's best when it's in writing.  I then relay that to the selling agent.   

I don't understand the allure personally.  Laziness?  Efficiency?  Testing?   It seems fraught with more negatives than anything positive.  

Mar 30, 2016 10:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

They are typically fishing and not really serious, so I tell them my seller will only consider written offers (which they all do, after we have had a discussion about these so-called verbal offers), and give them my email address.  That's usually the last we hear.  No loss - the figures they typically float are never workable, anyway.  Just a waste of everyone's time, but it's part of the game.

Mar 30, 2016 10:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

If it's a verbal it's usually not worth the time and effort to draw it up.  

Mar 30, 2016 10:38 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,129
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Tell them to submit a contract.

Mar 30, 2016 10:33 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

On an owner occupied home, put it in writing. On my numerous bank owned  homes, certain agents do call and give a verbal, if it is in the ball park, out it in writing, but most often dont want to waste time with a low ball. 

Mar 30, 2016 10:18 PM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Tell them to put it in writing.

Mar 30, 2016 10:09 PM