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are “on the table” and invite them to make their “best” offer; you can
“counter” one offer while putting the other offers to the side awaiting a
decision on your counter-offer; or you can “counter” one offer and reject
the others.

If you have questions about the possibility of multiple offers and
the way they can be dealt with, ask your listing broker to explain your
options and alternatives. Realize that each of these approaches has

advantages and disadvantages. Patience may result in an even better
offer being received; inviting buyers to make their “best” offers may
produce an offer (or offers) better than those “on the table” – or may
discourage buyers who feel they’ve already made a fair offer resulting in

them breaking off negotiations to pursue other properties. Your listing
broker will explain the pros and cons of these strategies (and possibly
other) negotiating strategies. The decisions, however, are yours to make.

Appreciate that your listing broker’s advice is based on past experience
and is no guarantee about how any particular buyer will act (or react) in
a specific situation.

Information for Buyers and Sellers
Knowledgeable buyers and sellers realize there are rarely simple
answers to complex situations. But some fundamental principles can

make negotiating multiple offers a little simpler. Realize the listing
broker represents the seller – and the seller’s interests, and the buyer-
representative represents the buyer – and the buyer’s interests. Real
estate professionals are subject to state real estate regulation and, if they

are REALTORS®, to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of
REALTORS®.
The Code of Ethics obligates REALTORS® to be honest with all

parties; to present offers and counter-offers quickly and objectively; and
to cooperate with other brokers. Cooperation involves sharing of
relevant information.
Frequently frustration and misunderstanding results from

cooperating brokers being unaware of the status of offers they have
presented on behalf of their buyer-clients. Listing brokers should make
reasonable efforts to keep buyer-representatives up-to-date on the status

of offers. Similarly, buyer-representatives should keep listing brokers
informed about the status of counter-offers their seller-clients have
made.

Finally, buyers and sellers need to appreciate that in multiple offer
situations only one offer will result in a sale, and the other buyers will