Expert, localized Los Angeles answers provided by Heather Roy

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Counter-offer

  My fiance and I just recently put an offer on a home and the bank countered for a higher price. We accepted only to later find out that they went with another offer. Can the bank accept another offer even after we have already accepted their counteroffer?
 
  If the counter-offer was in writing and signed by the bank, and if you accepted it in writing and the bank knew you had, then I'd say it's worth taking all the documents to a real estate lawyer for help.  But if the counter or your acceptance were just oral, they can't be enforced.  Nothing in the sale of real estate counts unless it's in writing.
    Edith
Originally published on December 11, 2009
 
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