House Hunting? Here Are 19 Types of Houses to Know

Can You Take Your House Off The Market? What Sellers Need To Know

June 30, 2025

Published by Real Estate SEO at June 30, 2025

Key takeaways:

In most home purchases, the buyer’s agent delivers the offer to the seller’s agent, who then presents it to the seller
If you don’t have an agent, you must submit the offer yourself—ideally with help from a real estate attorney.
Clean terms, proof of financing, and flexibility can help your offer get noticed—even as a backup.
Dual agency is where one agent represents both the buyer and seller but only legal in some states.

When you’re ready to make an offer on a home, it’s a big moment. You’ve found a property that feels right, you’ve done the financial homework, and now you’re ready to take the next step. But what happens after you decide to make an offer? Who delivers your offer to the seller and how does that process work?

In this Redfin article, we break everything down so you can feel confident navigating this exciting part of your homebuying process.

In this article:
What is a real estate offer?
Who delivers the offer to the seller?
What happens once the offer is sent?
How is the offer sent?
What is a good offer?
What happens if your offer is a backup?

First, what is a real estate offer?

A real estate offer is a formal, written proposal to purchase a home. It typically includes:

The purchase price
Contingencies (like financing or inspections)
Requests for the seller (such as covering closing costs or repairs)
Other key dates (including response deadline, closing date, etc.

It’s more than just saying “I want this house”—it’s a legally binding step that can set the tone for the entire transaction.

So, who delivers your offer to the seller?

Buying with or without an agent changes how offers are made. Here’s what you need to know.

If you’re working with a real estate agent

In most traditional real estate transactions, your buyer’s agent is the one who delivers your offer to the seller’s side. Here’s how it usually works:

You and your real estate agent prepare the offer together, making sure everything is filled out correctly and legally binding.
Your agent then submits the offer to the seller’s agent (also known as the listing agent).
The seller’s agent reviews the offer and presents it to the seller, often offering insights or guidance based on their expertise.

Your agent acts as a professional intermediary, ensuring the offer is complete, accurate, and delivered through the right legal channels.

If you’re not working with a real estate agent

Also known as purchasing “for sale by owner,” buying a home without a real estate agent means you’ll be responsible for drafting and submitting the offer yourself, handling all negotiations, and managing the paperwork.

It’s strongly recommended that you work with a real estate attorney to make sure everything is done correctly. Mistakes in your offer could delay the process, jeopardize your chances, or even expose you to legal risk.

Who else is involved in a real estate transaction?

In a real estate transaction, the primary parties involved include the buyer, the seller, and usually two agents—one for each side. Your buyer’s agent supports you in finding a home, preparing your offer, and negotiating terms, while the seller’s agent manages the listing and marketing for the seller.

Read: What Does a Real Estate Agent Do?

Can the same agent represent both buyer and seller?

Sometimes, a single real estate agent may represent both the buyer and the seller in a transaction. This is known as dual agency. While it can make the process feel more streamlined, it comes with important considerations and limitations.

Dual agency is legal in many states, but not all. Where it is allowed, the law typically requires full transparency and written consent from both the buyer and the seller.

With dual agency, the agent must remain neutral and cannot fully advocate for either party’s best interests. This means the agent may have limited ability to negotiate aggressively on your behalf or share confidential information that could benefit you.

If you find yourself in a dual agency situation, make sure to ask your agent to explain their legal obligations and what level of representation they can offer you.

What happens after your offer is delivered to the seller?

Once you make an offer and it is submitted, the waiting begins. But what actually happens behind the scenes? Knowing what to expect can make this period less stressful and help you stay prepared for your next move.

1. The listing agent reviews the offer

The seller’s agent is typically the first to review your offer. They’ll look over all the terms—including the purchase price, contingencies, financing details, earnest money deposit, and proposed timeline—and make sure everything is in order.

In competitive markets, this step is crucial as the agent may compare your offer with others.

2. The seller considers the offer

Next, the listing agent presents your offer to the seller. The seller will evaluate several factors:

Is the price acceptable or negotiable?
Are the contingencies reasonable? (e.g., home inspection, financing, appraisal)
Is the timeline convenient?
Is the buyer financially qualified and serious?

The seller may take a few hours or even a few days to make their decision, depending on their level of interest and whether they are juggling multiple offers.

3. The seller responds: accept, counter, or decline

After reviewing your offer, the seller will respond in one of three ways:

Accept: Your offer is approved as-is, and you move into contract. Your agent will guide you through escrow, inspections, and financing next.
Counteroffer: The seller proposes changes, such as a higher price, adjusted closing date, or modified contingencies. You can accept, reject, or negotiate further until agreement is reached.
Reject: If the offer doesn’t meet expectations or the seller accepts another, they may decline. Though disappointing, this frees you to keep searching with your agent.

Most offers include an expiration clause—typically 24 to 72 hours—which puts a time limit on how long the seller has to respond. If they don’t act within that window, the offer becomes void unless you agree to extend it. Your agent will monitor the timing and follow up as needed.

Is the offer sent electronically or in person?

Most offers today are delivered digitally, using secure platforms like DocuSign or Dotloop. These systems allow for quick signing, time-stamping, and easy document tracking, which helps move the deal forward efficiently.

However, in some markets or high-stakes scenarios, agents may still choose to present offers in person—especially if they believe a personal presentation can give their client a competitive edge. This tends to be more common in luxury sales or bidding wars especially for properties in big cities like Manhattan, NY.

What makes a good offer stand out?

A strong offer doesn’t just focus on price. Other key factors can make a seller take notice:

A realistic offer price based on current market conditions
Fewer contingencies or clean contract terms
Proof of pre-approval from a lender
A flexible closing date that works with the seller’s schedule

Your agent will help craft an offer package that gives you the best shot on paper and in presentation whether your dream home is on the beach in Malibu Beach, CA or on top of a mountain in Telluride, CO.

What happens if your offer is a backup?

If your offer wasn’t accepted, don’t lose hope. Sometimes, sellers keep strong offers on file as backup offers. This means if the first deal falls through for example, due to financing issues or a failed inspection the seller can quickly pivot to the next best option. Your agent can help you decide whether to stay in the running as a backup or move on.