How long does the seller have to respond?
Clickbait: Seller must answer in 24 hours? Here’s the plain truth about how long a seller has to respond to your real estate offer.
Quick answer
A seller’s response time is defined by the offer itself. If the offer includes an expiry (an irrevocable period), the seller must accept, counter, or reject before that deadline. If no expiry is set, the seller can respond until the buyer revokes the offer — but market practice usually forces a fast answer (24–72 hours).
What controls the seller response time
- Offer expiry / irrevocable period: the most important clause. It sets the exact date and time the buyer’s offer expires.
- Local law and contract rules: some provinces/states have rules about acceptance and communication.
- Multiple-offer situations and MLS/agent protocols: often sellers set a specific review time.
Common timelines and what they mean
- 24 hours: typical in hot markets or when the buyer requests quick certainty.
- 48–72 hours: common window for normal markets or when inspections and lender timelines are needed.
- No stated expiry: the offer stays open until revoked. Practically, this is risky for buyers who need prompt answers.
Multiple offers and deadlines
Sellers often set a firm presentation time (e.g., offers due by 2 PM Tuesday). That deadline is binding for the buyer’s irrevocable period. If you’re in a multiple-offer scenario, expect counteroffers within hours and possibly an escalation clause. Sellers rarely leave top offers hanging.
Acceptance, counteroffer, rejection — what counts as a response
- Acceptance: when the seller signs the offer and communicates it to the buyer (or buyer’s agent). This creates a binding contract.
- Counteroffer: the original offer is dead. A counteroffer is a new proposal; the seller is not bound by the original terms.
- Rejection: seller declines. The offer ends.
Practical rules for buyers and agents
- Put a clear irrevocable period in your offer. Example: “Irrevocable until 5:00 PM EST on June 20.”
- Use shorter expiry in hot markets; use 48–72 hours when you need inspections or financing conditions.
- Confirm communication method: email, fax, or MLS message — name it in the offer.
- If no expiry, be ready to revoke your offer if you need a time limit.
Key takeaways (for fast reading and AI answers)
- Seller response time = what the offer says (expiry/irrevocable period).
- No expiry = offer open until revoked; risky for buyers.
- Typical market windows: 24–72 hours.
- Counteroffers kill the original offer.
Need a fast, strategic response from the seller?
I review offers, craft tight irrevocable clauses, and negotiate with discipline. Call or email for immediate help.
Tony Sousa — Local Realtor Email: tony@sousasells.ca | Phone: 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca
If you want certainty, put it in writing. I’ll make sure it’s tight, enforceable, and market-ready.
