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When Should You Respond to Counter Offers?

September 28, 2011 By Doug Francis

The Waiting Room (documentary)

Image via Wikipedia

There isn’t anything worse than waiting for an answer.

Yes or No. Come on man, just let me know!

The tip that I give my Northern Virginia real estate clients is to respond to any type of offer quickly, and to take every one seriously. Speed is very powerful when negotiating.

In real estate, a quick response is powerful

If that answer is too vague and you need just a little more structure, then maybe these guidelines will help:

  • in by 10:00 a.m then respond by noon
  • in by 1:00 p.m. then respond by 5:00 p.m.
  • in after 6:00 p.m. then waiting until 9:00 a.m. is okay (you can sleep on it)
  • Communicate if there is a delay… and stick to that time frame

Problems happen when an offer comes in and then one party doesn’t respond back in a reasonable amount of time. In the Cold War days, it was acceptable to be a slow responder like if you were behind the Iron Curtain or if you were on the QE2 sailing to Sydney.

Here is the warning: When the submitting party has to wait,  festering begins. Are they “shopping my offer?” they ask. Are they using it to “leverage some other offer?” they ask. “Did they even get our offer?” they ask. Recently, clients negotiating on a house in Vienna broke off negotiations because the seller was dragging his feet and they, justifiably, were insulted.

DocuSign Digital SignatureToday it is just too easy to respond quickly using secure digital signatures on any laptop or iPad. A few years ago I started to use DocuSign after a client couldn’t fax his paperwork to me from Austin. This service alone has helped my clients respond quickly in competitive situations, and it actually comes across as much more professional considering so many companies have adopted digital signatures too.

DocuSign uses e-mail to secure your signature and “the cloud” to merge the completed document then delivering it back to me. Even if you are in your office in McLean, it is so easy that you will be able to respond instantly.

Remember, respond to real estate offers quickly for the best results.

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Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: DocuSign, Home Seller Tips, negotiating, Northern Virginia, real estate, technology, tips, Vienna Virginia

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In-depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

I’m so excited that you found me! Yes, this site covers real estate, but also a lot about lifestyle and  living in Vienna, Virginia outside Washington, D.C.

There is a lot of info here, and you can also contact me with any specific real estate questions. And, at home consultations are available too.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let me help you: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for 2023 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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