Who Delivers Your Offer to the Seller, And What Happens Next?
You’re preapproved for a mortgage, you’ve found the house, and your agent has helped you write an irresistible offer. Who delivers your offer to the seller?
So you’re pre-approved for a mortgage, you’ve found the perfect house, and your agent has helped you write an irresistible offer … now what?
Buying a house can feel stressful in the best of circumstances, and more so when you’re not quite sure what’s happening behind the scenes. While a good agent will do their best to make sure you understand the process every step of the way, it’s totally normal to have questions — especially when it comes to who actually delivers the offer to the seller.
Work With a Top Agent to Nail Down Your Offer
Most people only buy one or a few homes in their lifetime, but experienced agents help buyers all the time. When it comes to making a solid offer on your dream home, who you work with matters.
To help take the mystery out of what can be a nerve-racking waiting game, we’re breaking down exactly what goes into an offer and how that information gets to the seller of your hopeful next home. We’ve also spoken with Jennifer Young, a top agent based in Cincinnati, Ohio, with 23 years of experience, for her tips and insight.
Let’s dig in, starting with a quick recap of the essential elements of a transaction:
Who are the key players in a real estate offer?
Aside from the buyer (that’s you!) and the seller, you’ll typically find two real estate agents: one for each side.
The buyer’s agent is the expert working with you to help you find a home, write the offer, negotiate an agreement, and finalize your path to the closing table. Similarly, the seller’s agent represents the person(s) selling the property, helping them to list their house, market strategically, and negotiate with potential buyers.
Depending on your location, dual agency may be possible. This is when the same real estate agent works with both the buyer and the seller. Due to the delicate nature of the relationship, an agent acting dually becomes more of an arbitrator than an advocate for one side or the other. Dual agency is not legal in every state, but when the option does arise, both buyer and seller must consent to shared representation.
