In today’s competitive real estate market, multiple offer situations are becoming the norm rather than the exception.

Nationally, the average number of offers per property in:

2024 - 2.4 offers

2023 - 2.6 offers

2022 - 2.0 offers

2021 - 3.8 offers

While receiving multiple offers is great, failing to manage them strategically can cost your seller thousands of dollars—and make you look bad as their agent. If you’re not handling offers efficiently, you might be leaving money on the table without even realizing it.

Here are five signs you could be costing your seller the best deal—and how to fix it.

1️⃣ You’re Not Using a Structured Offer Comparison Process

The Problem:

• Agents manually track offers in emails, spreadsheets, or notes, leading to disorganization.
• Sellers struggle to compare offers effectively, especially in fast-moving markets.
• Important details get lost, creating potential for costly mistakes.

The Fix:

• Implement an automated offer management system like Offerin, which organizes, ranks, and presents offers in a clear, side-by-side comparison.
• Provide sellers with visualized data on each offer’s strengths and weaknesses.

🚀 Pro Tip: A well-structured comparison helps sellers feel confident in their decision, reducing second-guessing and negotiation delays.

2️⃣ You’re Not Encouraging “Highest & Best” Offers

The Problem:

• Agents accept the first few offers without giving buyers a chance to improve.
• Buyers often hold back their strongest terms unless prompted.

The Fix:

• Use a Highest & Best Offer deadline to encourage buyers to submit their top terms upfront.
• Communicate clearly with all buyer’s agents to set expectations and prevent weak initial offers.
• Utilize Offerin’s automated Highest & Best request feature to streamline the process.

🚀 Pro Tip: Letting buyers know they are in a multiple-offer situation often leads to stronger and cleaner offers right away.

3️⃣ You’re Only Looking at Price (and Ignoring Terms)

The Problem:

• A higher offer price might look great but could come with risky contingencies.
• Agents fail to consider the full offer package, including financing type, appraisal gaps, inspection waivers, and closing timelines.

The Fix:

• Compare net proceeds, not just the top-line price.
• Rank offers based on financing strength, contingencies, and seller flexibility.
• Use Offerin’s automated net sheet calculation to help sellers visualize true take-home amounts.

🚀 Pro Tip: An all-cash offer with a fast close could be worth more than a higher-priced offer with financing and contingencies.

4️⃣ You’re Not Keeping All Buyers Engaged

The Problem:

• Agents focus only on the “best” offer and neglect backup options.
• Losing buyers completely instead of keeping them engaged as backups.
• 25%

The Fix:

• Keep multiple buyers engaged in the process until a deal is 100% finalized.
• Utilize a structured backup offer process—many deals fall apart, and having a backup can prevent a costly re-listing.
• Send automated updates via Offerin to ensure transparency and professionalism with all agents involved.

🚀 Pro Tip: Keeping buyers engaged increases negotiation leverage and prevents you from scrambling if a deal falls through.

5️⃣ You’re Taking Too Long to Respond to Offers

The Problem:

• Delays in reviewing and responding to offers frustrate buyers and sometimes result in them moving on.
• Sellers risk losing motivated buyers due to slow decision-making.

The Fix:

• Set clear review deadlines with sellers before offers start coming in.
• Use an offer management platform like Offerin to automate notifications and organize quick seller reviews.
• Create templated response emails/messages to streamline communication.

🚀 Pro Tip: The faster you respond, the more likely you’ll retain strong buyers and avoid unnecessary renegotiations.

Final Thoughts: Stop Leaving Money on the Table

As a listing agent, your job isn’t just to get multiple offers—it’s to maximize your seller’s net proceeds while making the process as smooth as possible. By streamlining offer comparisons, leveraging Highest & Best strategies, and responding efficiently, you can ensure your sellers walk away with the best deal possible.

💡 Want to make sure you never leave money on the table? Try Offerin today and take control of your offer management process.

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