Accepting an Offer

The Price Is Not Always Right.

“The higher the price, the better the offer.” Do not let yourself be fooled by this popular misconception. Price is not always the determining factor when accepting an offer for several important reasons: the initial offer is usually not final, and there are a number of terms and conditions that may influence the final outcome of a price. You can trust our professionals to help you thoroughly evaluate every proposal without compromising your marketing position.

Negotiating The Right Way.

We take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating contractual terms very seriously. It is our job to find a win-win agreement that is beneficial to all parties involved. You may even have to deal with multiple offers before ratifying the one you judge to be the most suitable for you – and as your agents, we will guarantee a thorough and objective assessment of each offer to help you make the right choice.

The Initial Agreement and Deposit.

An effective agreement is a legal arrangement between a potential purchaser and the property’s seller. Laws vary from state to state, but in order to be a legally, binding agreement, the agreement may require consideration. This consideration (initial and additional deposit) is to be held in the closing agent’s escrow account pending the fulfillment of conditions or contingencies in the effective agreement.

Some important tips to keep in mind to streamline the process even further:

  • Keep written records of everything.
    For the sake of clarity, it will be extremely useful to transcribe all verbal agreements including counter-offers and addendums, and convert them to written agreements to be signed by both parties. We will assist you in drafting all the paperwork for your sale and make sure that you have copies of everything.
  • Stick to the schedule.
    Now that you have chosen your offer, you and the buyer will be given a timeline to mark every stage in the process of closing the real estate contract. Meeting the requirements on time ensures a smoother flow of negotiations and also ensures that each party involved is not in breach of their agreements. During the process we will keep you constantly updated so you will always be prepared for the next step.

What ourClients Say

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Jody Neal guided me step by step through the process of selling my property. He was very patient with all of my questions. He got a great value for my property.

— Kathy Brown

"We selected Jody to represent us in the sale of a parcel of land on the Gaviota coast. The purchaser was a high profile buyer and the transaction was complex and sensitive. Jody did a great job of coming up with a strategy to sell the property and navigating all issues that came up during…

— Patrick Brown

Jody is a pleasure to work with. This is my second purchase with him as my agent. Over 4 months, he listened to my needs and responded promptly to all inquiries. His market awareness and empathetic approach were a perfect fit. I trust him completely and will use him again to sell my home in…

— Thomas L

When we got started looking at ranches/farms we were met with new questions and concerns we hadn’t thought of. We were nervous and had a healthy amount of fear. We were connected with Jody and when I say this was the best experience possible, I mean it. Like, happily ever after type of joy. We…

— Max Perutz

Old Mac Donald had a farm, which is what we have now because Jody made our dreams come true. The only thing more impressive than his sourdough skills is his ability to sell your house and help you purchase a new one. His attention to detail, experience, and knowledge is impeccable! (Insert chefs kiss here).…

— Chandler Buchanan

As first-time buyers, the prospect of searching for the perfect property seemed daunting. Luckily, Jody helped us navigate the challenging real estate market with competence and confidence. He was the perfect combination of being highly responsive without being pushy or overbearing. His expertise in the art and science of real estate negotiation was impressive. He…

— Scarlett Okerblom-Sincoff

Jody helped us sell a small, undeveloped lot we inherited. He found a buyer quickly and it seemed like a simple deal until we discovered all kinds of complexities with the title. With every one of the many steps it took to clear things up, Jody was calm, professional and efficient. He put in a…

— Jono Kornfeld & Mirande Blankenship

We highly recommend Jody in any real estate sale. Jody was professional, prompt, and made the process easy for us. We didn't expect to sell as quickly as we did but Jody found potential buyers and helped us close well before expected. We are so happy we found him and recommend him to anyone looking…

— Melissa Moore

In brokering our deal with a probate lot adjacent to our home, Jody Neal made it happen as seamlessly as we could've imagined. His attention to detail and tireless research made uncovered several potential pratfalls that could've killed the deal. In the end, we got an incredible view lot with unlimited potential for what we…

— Mike and Cheryl Baker

It was a pleasure working with Jody, he's always available, works fast, knows the ins and outs of Santa Barbara County well, and was able to get our offer accepted in a competitive market. Highly recommended, thanks Jody.

— Jerome Chiaro

It was pleasure working with Jody. He is a direct communicator with his foot on the gas at all times. I was very impressed with his out of the box thinking- he got my property sold in 9 months after it had been on the market for 5 years with another agent.

— Owen Schafer

Thank you for everything you have done in regards to getting us through this process. First-time sellers that needed a little extra guidance. You walked us through and held strong through the process. We thank you for your hard work and will highly recommend you to anyone in need of your expertise.

— David and Janet McCall