Jodi Strober- Bucks & Montgomery County PA

It depends if your counter offer is verbal or in writing. If a buyer gives you a written offer, then you review it, make changes, initial your changes and give it back to the buyer, then you have to wait for the buyer's response.

The problem with entertaining another offer during this time is - say you get a second offer that is better, and you sign this 2nd deal (so it is an executed agreement of sale) and in the meantime, the buyers for the first offer accept your changes, initial them etc - now you have 2 executed agreements of sale - time to call your attorney.

I understand why people want to do this, but it never ends well. It is always best to treat people the way you would want to be treated. - Wed Feb 20 2008, 16:22

David - in New York you are right. Unless you specifically have a contract with a Buyer's Agent to represent you - assume that all agents are representing the seller and it is a conflict of interest.

In Real Estate New York is a bit behind the times. (i guess that depends on how you look at it...) but in PA and other states across the country, Buyer Agency started in the mid-eighties but really get into action until the early 90's. So buyers have their agent and sellers have their own.

But - in NY you can still make use of a Buyer Agent - just make sure that you know up front if you will have to pay the agent, or if they are going to get paid from the Seller's Agent (Seller).

It is a good idea to work with a Buyer's Agent because it is their duty to be loyal to YOU and if you give an agent your loyalty as well, they will work their hardest to find you your next home - if you keep switching from agent to agent - only calling the listing agents, they are not going to take the time to sit with you, go over your criteria, your financials etc. You are basically working alone. - Thu Feb 14 2008, 13:05

Hi Kathi,

Do you have anything in writing between you and your family member? Is the deed in your name? If the deed is in your name, you can sell the house - which might be the easiest thing to do, although the family living in the house can make it difficult if they don't keep it clean or make it hard for showings. - Fri Dec 21 2007, 09:54

I think every market is different. In my experience and my area, if I am taking a buyer around to look at homes, neither one of us want the listing agent to be there.

I always get a seller's property disclosure before I take clients out and read the listing sheet. I will talk with the listing agent if there are any questions beforehand. I don't want anyone following us around or trying to "sell" the house to my buyer. I want the buyers to look at and absorb the things that are important to them, but neither I (as a Buyer's Agent) or my buyers - want the seller or the seller's representative at the showing. - Mon Dec 10 2007, 06:28

I am not in your area, so I am not familiar with your market - but my experience in the winter is this: Buyers that are out looking in the cold and snow are only doing so because they HAVE to buy. They are extremely motivated. - Fri Dec 7 2007, 12:20