Renee,

So that is where Steve Harvey got the idea?  Shades of Miss Universe?  I think Susan Emo has the perfect solution.  A

No, I share nothing until the ink is dry on the paperwork!

No, it hasn't happened yet.  But, I never tell my customers about verbal offers or acceptance.  I wait until I see it in writing.

That was an occasional happenstance in the short sale market of 2005-2011 and has happened 1-2 times outside of that. It's the listing agents job to get the best offer, which is not always the highest offer, but the strongest buyer/price/financing/agent combo in my opinion. So, I question the listing agent to get as many facts as they'll reveal, to determine my next move.

I haven't had that happen. How discouraging and disappointing for your buyer. The agent needs to be sure before making that call.

Good morning Renee. Most of the time, I'm the seller and not something that I would do.

 I have to agree with what Susan said.

Why in the world would the listing agent make that call if it's not backed up with a signed offer? And if it is signed, I would make sure I get hold of it right away. 

Well, unfortunately, they can say whatever they want, only a signed contract is a sufficient proof that offer is accepted. 

Sorry to hear that this happened to you. The agent needs to learn to keep a tighter lip till an acceptance has been signed off.

No that hasn't happened to me, but that would suck. 

Never.  Just goes to show though, nothing is over until it's signed, sealed and delivered to the other side.

No, I make sure that when I have heard that that all the papers have been signed

Wow, that is not good

Until I get it in writing accepted, I don't believe it. Too many things can change in a blink in our business.

My question to you is 'why wasn't it signed if it was accepted'?

You have received excellent advice here. You must adhere to the Statute of Frauds here and contracts for real property must be in writing.

it happened to others who did not hustle to make sure the contract was signed immediately and sent back to them....

No. But until it is signed and returned ... the client has won nothing.

I once represented a personal friend and an agent in my office told me our offer was accepted and even handed be a pen as congratulations.  The next day he said they received a higher offer.  I went to his office and threw the pen at him.  I haven't forgiven him yet and it's been about 7 or 8 years.  My client/friend found a better place in the same complex fortunately.

Yes.  That is why I caution my buyer it is never a done deal until we get a signed contract.

No. Anything can happen until you have an executed contract. Verbal comments have little meaning.

Yes, happend a lot.  Until we get it in writing, I dont tell clients.  Even once we have it in writing, I have had offers, counter offers recinded.  Once it happens to a buyer, they start to believe me when they are low balling or think sellers will give their property away.  If it looks good to you at this price?  Odds are, it looks good to other buyers too.

Nope. And it should be communicated with the signed contract not just a call that it is going to happen

I don't disclose any information until I see it in writing.

No, but if that did happen I would never do business with that agent again.

YES, and we not only lost the deal....the buyer was so angry with us, that we lost the client too!

Sad to say but it does happen.

No, but I had to deliver that news to a Buyer's agent once. It was not pleasant.

Have not had it happen but that is why I never disclose any verbal negotiation until its in writing. 

I have not had that happen.  If you don't have an acceptance in writing I guess that works.  If you had the acceptance in writing another offer would be too late.

Unfortunately, I have -- and until it's signed and delivered, it's not sealed. Agent jumped the gun.

Not yet.

Renee - I have never had that happen, but have had to contact a buyers agent and let them know that they were outbid.

Thankfully I did not tell them they were the winning offer yet.

I would hope the seller did not sign the offer then! 

Only once

No - and only rely on it when it's signed, sealed and delivered!

This is one that has not happened to me. 

Luckily, no.  No way to prevent this, I bet.

Renee Paray I've never had this happen. Ask for the rejected offer to see if it was signed by the seller. You may have a contract after all.

No. Good to wait until it's official. Hope your buyers weren't heartbroken.

They have tried it after the contract was signed.  It has happened a couple of times before the contract was signed by the seller.  In that case we lost

Yep, I have shared this experience. More common with distressed sales than with straight sales. With straight sales as others mentioned, just be sure to get the paperwork back signed. With distressed sales sometimes it doesn't matter as many banks, asset managers, BK courts etc reserve the right to continue to accept higher offers and kill any transaction at any time for any reason they choose. I kind of think that "we" as an industry should not "bend" to such language in all their special forms. I do think that if banks and courts want to use our communication lines and systems to move their inventory - they should play by our rules.

its a game, the buyers and sellers are not always.... honest? intelligent? sure of themselves? many other choices here... yes signed is the only TRUE way, but i have seen buyers say , "tell them they got it" we are signing it as soonas we are back from the movies." and then another offer comes, or they change their mind and accept one of the others they got. often i get multiples and just take the best one, and not counter. a bird in the hand sort of thing

No.