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Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

yes, I'd give it a go. You never know what she/he will tell you. In our area, they don't have to tell you anything that the seller might not want the buyers to know. 

Feb 20, 2022 12:19 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I do not... they should never be telling you that and why put them in a position to ask. In NC we need to get our seller's permission to even disclose that we have other offers and/or how many.

Feb 20, 2022 11:37 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,873
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

They never or rarely tell you that unless you're late to the party and they don't want to waste your time with a last minute offer that won't be worth anyone's time...I may ask but I never expect a specific answer.

I may tell you 5% of the time, most of the time as a listing agent, I won't tell you. It's poker, learn to play!

I do ask how many offers are in hand and I may say my client is coming in at $XXXXXX (when it's their max offer price) will that amount be competitive with your multiple offers already received?

I'll ask if they plan to counter the top 5 offers?

 

Feb 20, 2022 11:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,556,653
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker

No, because they can/will/do lie.  Price is only prat of the offer, as other terms may make the offer much more appealing.  

Feb 20, 2022 06:01 PM
Rainer
195,422
Karen Climer
Demetree School of Real Estate - Orlando, FL
Teaching people to pass the real estate exam

If they tell you, that says a lot about them as an agent.  In most states, it would be illegal for them to tell you.  It violates their duty of confidentiality (unless seller said it was OK).

Feb 20, 2022 04:59 PM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

     Will they be violating a fiduciary if they tell me?  Not if their Seller is okay with them disclosing that information.

     You obviously know that there are offers in play; why waste your buyer's time writing an offer that will be declined?  Call and ask! (subject to your Broker's advice).

 

     In my experience,

    "Hi, L A.   We are writing an offer; I will have it to you soon.  Tell me, where do we stand?  What are we up against?" 

    Some agents won't tip their hand:  "Fred all I can say is bring your highest and best".  But other agents have told me exactly what they have... how many offers, the highest dollar amount, is there a cash offer, Seller's intent to counter or not counter, etc.

  

  

Feb 20, 2022 02:59 PM
Ambassador
3,345,221
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

We do not even have to ask some agents in my market - the listing agents call all buyer agents the tell what they have, #of offers, price, terms, contingencies. Usually, there are no contingencies. 

That is not me or my practice.

I rarely work with buyers these days. 

Feb 20, 2022 11:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,321
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Mimi Foster
Has a post on Facebook about this. ❤
This may vary from state-to-state but there's nothing in the code of ethics that says they can't ask and be answered with the seller's permission. My answer here is the same as there. They can but they may not want to. And they're not required to.
Have I been known to tell somebody we've had better offers than yours that were outright rejected?
Yeah. Either write a better offer or don't kill digital trees. I personally would appreciate it if there was no way our deal could fly. Then we could move on.

Feb 21, 2022 04:47 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,772
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I have, when I knew that more than one offer had been submitted, inquired about what it would take to be the best offer. Sometimes I found out a number. Often the reply would be: "Tell your client to take their best shot".

And, as listing agent, if I quoted a figure and an offer came in with that figure, I would discuss with my client the wisdom of countering others up to or past that figure.

Feb 20, 2022 08:41 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I always ask, some may not tell you, some may give some info and some will give away all the secrets. You have to ask to find out

Feb 20, 2022 04:35 PM
Ambassador
3,126,196
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

You can ask but unless the seller has given the agent permission to disclose, mum's the word!

Feb 20, 2022 04:27 PM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

My job is to not disclose information about my client and to find out as much as possible about the wants, needs, desires of the other agent's clients.  I am always trying to get as much information as I possibly can get.  It would be great to know what it will take to get the home or find out if it's out of my client's reach.

Feb 20, 2022 11:31 AM
Ambassador
1,026,993
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

There are so many scenarios and so many issues with this. I am a firm believer in this fast-paced market that you are wasting everyone's time if someone can't go above $450,000 and you have offers at $500,000, tell them. NAR says you can (referenced in this article). In CO we can with the Seller's permission. I just wrote a post about it. This is not to get an auction going, it is to not waste everyone's time. You have to be smart about it. As the 'expert' said, 'Offers aren't confidential and you can't make them confidential.' REALTOR MYTH

 

(Thanks, Candice A. Donofrio)

Feb 21, 2022 07:37 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

That would be illegal for them to answer that question.

Feb 20, 2022 03:50 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,689
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

In Colorado, if your Seller has given approval, the listing agent will tell you, and bid up the offers.   It is in the best interest of the Seller to do so here.

Feb 21, 2022 06:29 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,431
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

No. Submit your best offer.

Feb 21, 2022 04:48 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,520
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Depending on market conditions, one side in a real estate transaction is typically not in "control". 

Feb 20, 2022 07:07 PM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

No, I never do ask

Feb 21, 2022 07:09 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Some will answer that question

Feb 21, 2022 05:44 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Such a question is a test of the competence of the listing agent. The answer is always, "Submit your hightest and best. It should be ABOve list price." (Each capital means 10%)
The better approach is:
"My buyer loves the house and does not want to have their heart broken again. How can they make their FHA backed offer the most competitive for this seller?"
The most common but incorrect answer is 'Highest and best."
The right answer is wrapped into the conversation the listing agent has had regarding the legacy desires of the seller. Often these are observable to those paying attention within the confines of the property.

Feb 21, 2022 05:25 AM
Rainmaker
5,217,381
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

If the listing agent has the seller's permission, preferably in writing, then yes. If not, do not!

Best practice, have your buyer make their highest and best offer the first time and face the consequences.

Feb 21, 2022 03:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I just had a legal webinar on CAR new forms. The attorney pointed that it is beneficial for the seller to disclose their highest offer and terms to receive even better offer. It is a made up 'guessing '' game that many listing agents keep playing that i personally never liked since it is a waste of time for everyone.

Feb 25, 2022 09:34 PM
Rainmaker
911,448
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Some listing agents think they are auctioneers. We now have all cash offer for 529,000.00, do I hear 550 ? 500, 550, 550...anyone ? SOLD to bidder# 126 for $529,000.00!  I've also had sellers permission to disclose amount and terms of all offers. They said " If anyone wants to write a better offer, bring it on."

Feb 22, 2022 04:42 AM
Rainmaker
901,891
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

No because they're not allowed to tell. I do ask what is the seller's desired closing date and if there is anything the seller would consider favorable.

Feb 21, 2022 11:00 AM
Rainer
378,517
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

Always.  And sometimes I have to explain it's not illegal for them to tell me, they just need to ask their seller. And do they want to get their seller a higher offer?

Feb 21, 2022 10:42 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,303
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I operate within and without the known parameters my reason being to achieve a result. Why waste time? I have often said to properties listed with others, what will it take for my buyer to get this? Me to get this? Once an agent tells, I take it from there. No pussy-footing around at these stakes 

Feb 21, 2022 08:44 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Austin,

If I were the listing agent, I would not tell you!  

Feb 21, 2022 07:14 AM
Rainer
337,854
Adam Feinberg
Elegran - Manhattan, NY
NYC Condo, Co-op, and Townhouse Advisor

No. I will ask the listing agent what I need to know. On occasion this leads to the listing agent disclosing more than they should

Feb 24, 2022 12:59 PM
Rainmaker
900,278
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Of course you can ask, but not all will tell you. There may be ways to ask without putting the agent on the spot.

Feb 22, 2022 11:47 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

I almost always will ask and while only sometimes getting an answer is acceptable I'll take any new information I can and pass it along to the Bbuyer.

Feb 21, 2022 01:52 PM