Realtor changed my offer without asking/(thinking?)

[Arianne L.]

Sorry, this is more venting than anything else but I'm curious if anyone else has had similar experiences...

Our first realtor wasn't that great, particularly on communication and actually submitting offers (although we are trying to close a 4 unit deal with him right now).

Now, the second realtor we're actually trying to purchase a personal residence with potential profit when we sell in 2+ years. She's been great so far. Prompt communication and is okay with submitting our "low" offers. Until today...

We are trying to get a property listed on homepath. It is listed at 150k. We initially offered 120k. Bank came back at 141k, we countered at 125k. Bank came back at 137k, we countered at 126k. Bank came back at 136k. (I actually thought that was funny).

Yesterday, we advised our realtor that we would like to counter at 129k (our max is 130k). She then tells us after she submitted our offer that she "asked them to contribute $7,000 to repairs costs of "as is" conditions". So, after all this negotiation with the bank, she basically reduced our offer back down to $122k! and without consulting us first! I don't even know what to say...

P.S. I am currently working on getting my own real estate license so I don't have to worry about this anymore. lol

[Geoffrey Hoffman]

No, a Realtor cannot offer price/terms which you did not tell her to offer.  That is why it is best to negotiate in writing.  

That aside - If your first response is to call her broker, get her in trouble, and take her license away- Why not have a conversation with her first? Are you sure there is not a miscommunication here?  Based on the numbers you stated:

Bank is at 136k

You tell Realtor to offer 129k

She says she asked the bank to contribute 7k to repairs. 

Was the counter at 136k minus 7k towards repairs  (net offer of 129k, as you wanted)?  Or was it 129k with 7k credit (net of 122k).  Did you even ask her?  Is it just a coincidence that the difference was 7k?