{"id":105761,"date":"2025-09-11T12:05:02","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T19:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=105761"},"modified":"2025-10-06T14:01:58","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T21:01:58","slug":"red-flags-in-an-offer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/red-flags-in-an-offer\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Flags in an Offer on a House Every Seller Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Key takeaways<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all offers are equal \u2014 know what to question before you accept.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weak deposits, excessive contingencies, or poor financing can derail your sale.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/real-estate-agents\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redfin real estate agent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you evaluate buyer strength and avoid risky deals.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selling your home should be exciting, not stressful. But not all offers are created equal. According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/blogs\/economists-outlook\/the-top-10-highlights-from-nars-2024-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Association of Realtors, 11%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of home sales encounter at least one delay, most often tied to financing or appraisal issues. Knowing what to look for in an offer can save you time, money, and frustration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are seven red flags in an offer on a house that every seller should recognize.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>1. Low earnest money deposit<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-earnest-money\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earnest money <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shows a buyer is serious. If the deposit is unusually low or missing altogether, it could mean the buyer isn\u2019t fully committed. Serious buyers usually put down 1% to 3% of the purchase price.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>2. Virtual buyers who haven\u2019t seen the home<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some buyers make offers without touring the property in person. While this may seem harmless, it can backfire if they change their mind after inspection. Ask your agent how to protect yourself if a virtual buyer submits an offer.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>3. Home-sale contingency<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/home-sale-contingency\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home-sale contingency<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> means the buyer must sell their own property before purchasing yours. This can create delays and uncertainty. If you consider this type of offer, ask about adding a kick-out clause so you can keep your home on the market.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>4. Unusually long inspection periods<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standard <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/home-inspection\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">inspections<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> take about a week. A buyer asking for extra time may be testing the market or stalling for another reason. Longer windows can mean more opportunities for them to walk away.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>5. Weak or questionable financing<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketmortgage.com\/learn\/how-often-do-contingent-offers-fall-through#:~:text=At%20what%20point%20do%20most,the%20buyer&#039;s%20home%20loan%20approval.\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financing is the most common reason deals fall through<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A strong offer should include a preapproval letter from a reputable lender. Be cautious if the buyer\u2019s financing seems uncertain, comes from an unfamiliar lender, or is dependent on selling another property.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>6. Offers above the asking price without appraisal gap coverage<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An offer that\u2019s much higher than your asking price may look appealing. But if the home doesn\u2019t appraise at that value, the deal could collapse \u2014 unless the buyer is willing to cover the gap in cash.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>7. Sloppy or incomplete paperwork<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Details matter. An offer with missing signatures, vague terms, or inconsistencies could signal inexperience or lack of organization. Mistakes in contracts can cause delays or even cancel your deal.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Bonus: Seller-side red flags to avoid<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s not just about the buyer. Sellers can lose strong offers if their own home shows <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/red-flags-when-buying-a-house\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">red flags <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">such as mold, pests, or strong odors. Pricing too high can also hurt your chances, leaving your home sitting on the market and losing buyer interest.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Seller checklist: Spotting red flags in offers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use this quick checklist before accepting an offer:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is the earnest money deposit at least 1% to 3%?<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Has the buyer toured the home in person?<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is there a home-sale contingency, and do you have a kick-out clause?<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is the inspection period reasonable, around seven days?<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does the buyer have strong preapproval or verified cash funds?<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does the offer include appraisal gap coverage if the above list price?<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is all paperwork complete, signed, and consistent?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>FAQs about red flags in an offer on a house<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>What\u2019s the biggest red flag in an offer on a house?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financing uncertainty. Without a solid preapproval or proof of funds, the deal is at higher risk of falling through.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Should I always reject offers with contingencies?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No. Standard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/contingencies-in-real-estate\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">contingencies<\/a> such as inspection and appraisal are common. The key is to watch for unusual or excessive ones that give the buyer too much control.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>How can a Redfin real estate agent help me spot red flags?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redfin agents are trained to evaluate offers, verify buyer strength, and guide you through negotiation so you choose the best path forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Final thoughts: red flags on an offer from a seller\u2019s perspective<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The highest offer isn\u2019t always the best one. By learning to recognize these red flags in an offer on a house, you can avoid delays, minimize risk, and choose the buyer most likely to close. A Redfin agent can guide you step by step and make sure you don\u2019t miss important details.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Explore more seller resources:<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-sell-your-house\/#:~:text=Your%20real%20estate%20agent%20will,give%20yourself%20the%20best%20advantage.\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"> <b><i>How to Sell a House With a Realtor<\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i>, <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/home-appraisal\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b><i>What Happens After a Home Appraisal,<\/i><\/b><b> and <\/b><b><i>Seller\u2019s Guide.<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key takeaways Not all offers are equal \u2014 know what to question before you accept.&nbsp; Weak deposits, excessive contingencies, or poor financing can derail your sale.&nbsp; A Redfin real estate agent can help you evaluate buyer strength and avoid risky deals. Selling your home should be exciting, not stressful. But not all offers are created [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":813,"featured_media":105763,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34279],"tags":[3991],"coauthors":[36372],"class_list":["post-105761","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-selling-a-home","tag-home-seller-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>7 Red Flags in an Offer on a House Every Seller Must Know - Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Selling your home? 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