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How Long Does a Home Seller Have To Respond To An Offer?

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When you make an offer on a house, you might be wondering: How long does it take a home seller to respond to your offer?

There’s nothing worse than sitting around waiting—especially when you’re waiting for someone to respond to your offer on the biggest financial decision of your life. Yeesh, it’s excruciating.

Unfortunately, waiting comes with the territory when you’re buying a house. But how long you have to wait is the bigger question. While there’s no official rule on how long a seller can take to get back to you, there is an industry standard that most real estate agents and sellers tend to follow.

Whether you just made an offer on a property or plan to in the near future, here’s everything you need to know about how long it might take to hear back from the seller.

How long can a seller take to respond to an offer?

In theory, sellers can take as long as they want before responding. But in practice? Most sellers (or their agents) will usually get back to you within a few days.

“As a courtesy, the Realtor® will notify the buyer’s agent when the seller responds regarding an offer,” says Benjamin Ross, a Realtor with Mission Real Estate Group. As the seller’s agent, “we like to respond within 48 hours, but that also depends on when we get the seller’s response.”

Some agents have even stricter expectations when it comes to response time.

While 24 to 48 hours is the standard observed by many professionals in the industry, exceptions happen. Here are some of them.

When might it take longer for a home seller to respond?

There are quite a few reasons why a seller might take longer than usual to respond to your offer. The first is if they received multiple offers.

“Typically, response time increases if there is more than one offer on the table,” says Ross. “Sellers may take their time to choose which offer is best for them.”

Another reason your offer might go unanswered is if it’s too low.

“If an offer is far from what a seller expected to receive, many times they won’t respond at all,” says Parnes.

Other times you might not hear back for a completely unrelated reason—such as the seller is out of town or on vacation.

Consider setting a time limit on your offer

If you’re concerned about how long a seller might take to respond to your offer, work with your agent to find out if you can set a contractual time limit on it. In some states these “offer time limits” are used by buyers and sellers to dictate how long the other party can take to respond.

“Offer time limits are defined in the contract in the state of Georgia,” says Katina Asbell, associate broker at Real Living Capital City Realty. “The ‘time limit of offer’ is the period of time the offer is active and open for response, and once it’s expired, the contract is void and a new offer must be presented.”

Whether or not your local legislature allows buyers to set time limits, Asbell cautions buyers to be strategic when using them.

“The time limit can be a critical part of defining a buyer’s success in negotiation,” she says. “If it’s too short, the seller may feel rushed or annoyed and give a harsh response. If it’s too long, then the buyer risks a multiple-offer scenario.”

Tips for a successful negotiation with home sellers

Ultimately, the process of getting an offer accepted is all about being a good negotiator—and for this you’ll want to work with an experienced real estate agent.

“The best success I have found in gauging appropriate and amiable timelines is a very open and honest conversation with the seller’s agent,” says Asbell. “Buyers have one chance at a first impression and to set the stage for the remaining negotiation process, and timeline matters greatly in conveying this tone.”

Learn more on Realtor.com

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7 Things All First-Time Homeowners Get Wrong—and How To Avoid Those Big Mistakes

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Like most major milestones in life, becoming a first-time homeowner comes with quite a few learning curves.

Even after you close on the house and it becomes officially yours, there’s still a lot to learn when it comes to taking care of the place—and setting yourself up for long-term success.

Having recently purchased my first home, I’ve had a front-row seat to all the trials and tribulations that come with learning how to be a homeowner. Here are seven of the biggest mistakes first-time homeowners make (myself included), plus some helpful tips from the experts on how to avoid them.

1. Calling a repair person with the wrong specialty

This might not sound like a big deal, but it can actually end up costing you quite a bit of time and money—especially if there are significant household repairs on the line.

“This is the most common mistake committed by first-time homebuyers,” says Joshua Haley, founder of Moving Astute.

“When you hire a repair guy who doesn’t specialize in fixing what’s broken in your home, the cost of repairs could skyrocket,” says Haley. “Homeowners have been known to spend upward of $135 an hour on a contractor who they thought was coming out for a couple hours at most.”

One way to avoid this is by doing some research beforehand. Try to gain a rudimentary understanding of what’s wrong, so you can explain the problem over the phone. This will help you avoid any confusion about the extent of work that needs to be done, and it will also help ensure you’re hiring the right person for the job.

2. Blindly hiring contractors

Speaking of hiring the right person: There are a million ways for home upgrades and repair projects to go wrong, and one of the best ways to avoid this is by making sure whichever contractor you hire has a long list of glowing reviews.

No matter what kind of work you’re having done—construction, repairs, or even just some landscaping—always make sure the people you hire come highly recommended by someone you trust.

“Always ask for recommendations,” says Michael Branson, CEO of All Reverse Mortgage Inc. “Your neighbor may know a good contractor or handyman who could help fix up your home. Remember, the biggest compliment a business can receive is word of mouth.”

3. Not budgeting for new expenses

While you might have your mortgage and utility bills under control, there are a lot of other expenses that come with homeownership that you’ll want to plan for as well. This includes any homeowners association fees, homeowners insurance, regular maintenance fees, and even property tax.

“Consult a real estate professional who will inform you of the neighborhood’s usual property taxes and insurance costs,” suggests real estate investor Richard Mews. “Another idea is to request the seller’s utility bills for the last year or so.”

Though the latter might seem weird, most sellers will understand: Whatever information you can get will help you feel more prepared for all those new expenses.

4. Ignoring routine maintenance

One thing a lot of first-time homeowners overlook is the simple fact that they’ll have to do routine maintenance—like, usually something every month.

These are things you’ll want to learn about relatively quickly, since putting them off can end up costing you a lot in repairs.

“Keep a recurring list of preventive maintenance tasks,” says John Bodrozic, CEO of HomeZada. “Your home is essentially a collection of assets—like equipment, appliances, building materials, fixtures, finishes, and landscaping. All of these things need preventive maintenance to make sure the home is operating efficiently, which saves you money on your monthly energy bills and avoids expensive fix-it and repair costs.”

5. Making home improvements too soon

When you get into a new home, it can be tempting to start filling it with all of your dream furnishings—or even to embark on some expensive remodeling project.

My best advice to new homeowners? Hold off.

What you envision for your house will likely change, especially the longer you live in it. Start by using the furniture you have, and making small upgrades by shopping for used items.

Once you’ve lived in the home for a few months, and understand how you actually use each space and what you ultimately want from it, you’ll be in a much better position to start spending the big bucks on remodeling and those fancy new furnishings.

6. Not winterizing your home

Unless you live in Florida, chances are you’ll have some light winterizing to do around your new home before cold weather hits.

“Whether it’s because they don’t know where to start or they’re not sure if it’s necessary, (not winterizing your home) is a big mistake,” Haley says.

Whether that means draining pipes of water to avoid freezing temperatures or adding insulation to save on heating, these are some of the most important seasonal chores you’ll ever do as a homeowner.

7. Assuming you and your partner are on the same page

Becoming a first-time homeowner with someone puts a whole new twist on the relationship, which is why it’s so important to keep good communication throughout the process, and especially in those first few months.

“Don’t make decisions without discussion,” says Phillip Ash of Pro Paint Corner.

“If you’re buying your home with your partner, chances are that you’ve lived together before and know each other’s decor taste and habits. But once you own a home, it becomes even more imperative that any decisions that affect the other person are talked about. This is important—whether it’s paint color, home decor, or bigger things like renovations and taking on additional monthly expenses.”

Bottom line: Homeownership will be much more rewarding when both of you are involved in the process.

Get more tips like this on Realtor.com

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Home Repairs That You Should Never Procrastinate

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It's easy to put off home repairs, especially if they seem like big, daunting tasks.

You are only making the problem worse and costing yourself more money by procrastinating. So, what home repairs should you never procrastinate?

Repair a Leaking Roof

The roof keeps everything safe from rain and snow in most homes, so if it falls apart, every room becomes vulnerable to water damage or more. For one, a leaking roof can cause water damage to your home, which can be expensive to repair. When you have a leaking roof, it can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause respiratory issues. Thus, to avoid extra cost, it's essential to call an expert to help you with your roof repair.

Repair Cracks in Your Walls

Your walls may not look like much, but they're the foundation of your home. And if you don't take care of them, it can lead to severe structural issues later on. The cracks in the wall can lead to more severe problems with mold or other pests that could come into your home and make a mess of things. Plus, if you don't fix the issue now, you will only have more significant issues later. Cracks in walls usually appear due to moisture, so you want to fix them before they get bigger.

Fix Leaky Faucets and Toilets

Leaky faucets and toilets can waste a lot of water and lead to expensive repairs if they are not fixed quickly. Fixing these issues as soon as you notice it will help avoid further damage or wasted water. Besides, leaky faucets and toilets can lead to other issues, such as rusting or corrosion. If left neglected, it can also lead to mold and mildew issues, leading to further potential health risks such as asthma. Replacing faucets and internal parts of toilets because of corrosion is very expensive, so fixing the issue will save you a lot of money.

Replace Old Appliances

If you've been putting off replacing your old appliances, now is the time to do it. Old devices are more expensive to run, and they're not as energy efficient as newer models. The issue with older appliances is that they cannot save on energy. Today, the most recent devices save hundreds of dollars on utility bills every year because they use less power than their predecessors!

In conclusion, if you've been procrastinating on a home repair, now is the time to stop. The sooner you fix the issue, the more money you'll save on repairs. You also need to ensure you contact an expert to avoid the issue from repeating itself in the future.

Keep reading.

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6 Downsizing Hacks You Should Try If You’re Moving from a House to an Apartment

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When moving from a spacious house to a smaller apartment, decluttering is the name of the game.

Thinking of all the downsizing you’ll have to do, you might feel that old familiar stress creeping up your back. But not to worry: Just take it one emptied cupboard, drawer, or closet at a time, making sure to get rid of duplicates and holding on only to what you need or use often. Here are six expert hacks for decluttering, from planning in advance to keeping just the essentials.

Get organized. 

The month before your move, commit to a decluttering challenge. “Get rid of one item on day one, two items on day two, three items on day three, etcetera,” recommends Trent Brock, a moving expert at PODS, a national moving and storage company. “You can get rid of anything. Nothing is off-limits. From a sofa to a fork — it’s all fair game.”

Consider storage. 

If you’re short on time, consider taking advantage of short-term home storage solutions along the way. “For example, you can use a PODS portable storage container to aid in the downsizing process by creating extra space right in your driveway for sorting your things,” recommends Brock. “Off-site storage is perfect for items you’re on the fence about. Moving those things out of your living space for a month or two can help you decide if you really need them in your life and in your house.”

Use multi-use Items for extra storage.

Invest in space-saving essentials. “Downsizing is about saving space however you can,” says Brock. “Consider getting a few items that make it easy to conserve space. For example, try packing your seasonal clothes in a vacuum-sealable bag or investing in an ottoman that doubles as blanket storage.” 

Take a hard look at your must-haves.

It’s easy to accumulate a surprising number of mementos. Brock recommends narrowing these items down to the most important keepsakes, then storing them in a labeled box so they’re easy to find. If you find yourself hesitant to let go of familiar items or treasured childhood keepsakes, cut yourself some emotional slack. After all, it took you years to accumulate all your stuff; parting with that is no easy task. 

Be thoughtful about your furniture.  

There’s no better time to evaluate whether you really like that clunky dresser than before you haul it up three flights of stairs. “See if you can acquire a floorplan of your new apartment ahead of time and map out where your largest pieces of furniture would fit,” recommends Brock. “When it comes to furniture ideas for small-space living, anything that takes up room should serve a function — and, often, more than one,” says Brock. “For instance, a kitchen cart with a butcher block top can expand your counter space, stash pots and pans, and even triple up as a bar cart.”

Only bring the essentials.

Do you really need a rice cooker, pressure cooker, slow cooker, toaster oven, and air fryer? Chances are you won’t have room for all of them in your new pad even if you want to. Get practical and pare down to the basics — and that goes beyond the kitchen. “Maybe you can keep three throw pillows out of your collection of a dozen and bring two sets of towels instead of ten,” says Brock. “Take stock of your belongings, from your wardrobes to your cabinets, setting aside anything you can part with. Because if it doesn’t make you happy in a larger space, it certainly won’t make you happy in a smaller space.”

Get more tips like this on Apartment Therapy!

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Just Listed: Northeast Bend Home on Quiet Cul De Sac

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Peacefully located on a large beautifully landscaped lot on a quiet cul de sac in northeast Bend, you will fall in love with this light and bright home. 

Open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, and designer finishes throughout.  With a huge paver patio, firepit, and no homes directly behind it, you will love the privacy for outdoor entertaining or just relaxing in your backyard oasis. The large lot with a graveled side yard also allows for many options for storage of outdoor toys & gear, a dog run, or many other possibilities.  And don’t forget to check out the park, pool, and Mirada amenities while you are in the neighborhood.

Listed by DeAnna Davis for West + Main Homes. Please contact DeAnna for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

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