06/19/2026
A seller accepted your offer. Can they still walk away or chase a better deal?
The answer is more complicated than most buyers expect.
Key points:
• An accepted offer without a signed contract gives sellers significant flexibility, they can legally continue showing the property and entertaining offers
• In New York, deals are not legally binding until contracts are fully executed and exchanged, verbal acceptance means very little
• Once both parties sign, the seller is bound, but exit clauses and contingencies can still create leverage
•The best protection for a buyer is speed, moving quickly from accepted offer to signed contract closes the window
In Manhattan, this dynamic plays out regularly. The market moves fast, and understanding where you actually stand in a deal is not just useful, it's essential.
Knowing the rules is how you protect yourself on both sides of the table.
Have questions about navigating a deal in today's market? Let's talk.
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