I don't think there's any excuse for non-response. I've made my position fairly clear on recent Qs. One word. RECEIVED. I don't care how busy you are. I don't care where you are. I don't want to hear "you're out of town right now"; unless you're at the top of a mountain in Peru with no cell service, look on your freaking phone and let me know you got the offer. To answer your question . . . If you haven't gotten an acknowledgement of receipt that business day, send an email with tracking and copy the broker. Put a note to the broker in the email that says I haven't heard back and I just want to make sure that you're not handling business for so and so in the event that they're away from their desk. That usually gets a response and is gentle and elegant. You're not accusing them of being a dumbass. Just expressing concern. LOL

Been there.  Experienced this.  Frustrating to say the least.  For you and even more so for your likely anxious clients.  

Acknowledging an offer seems so simple yet is often "overlooked".  

As far as the next step after email - call - text and perhaps showing up at the office --- there may be little that can be done without going to the broker/manager.  As far as timing, I imagine there is an expiration date on your clients' offer and I imagine that it's reasonable given the situation and the market.  You likely don't know the particular agent and it can be risky to get the broker involved but you have to do what's best for your client.  I hope this works out for the best.  

Did they not acknowledge receipt of an offer, Debe? I usually call, text and email until I get at least an acknowledgment of receipt.

Debe Maxwell, CRS Twenty-four hours is sufficient time for the agent to respond they received an offer. Call the broker.

Debe,

I hear your frustration.  It makes the profession look bad.  I hope you get a response. A

I would say 8 hours. There is no time on our contract but we all would like to get along well with our compadres right?

I think we should all say today that we should start using that email tracking service so that we know when someone is giving us the b.s. 

Unfortunately in a hot market, the seller is in the driver's seat.  It would be kind of the listing agent to send a one word email "received".  If there is going to be a bidding war you want to remain gracious (even tho peeved).  Good luck!

Debe, there is no valid reason for this non-response but it happens to me all the time.  As Candice states...one word is all you need in the response line!...Copy & paste on email or text. Got it!

for me, it depends on "what time" yesterday, the offers were made.  Yes, it's frustrating and irritating in a hot market (by the way... congrats on making three offers yesterday!)... to not hear back in a timely manner.

I might presume that if the market is as busy as it sounds, it's very possible those seller's agents have received more than three offers... and are still digesting.  But the very least they can do is acknowledge their receipt and give you some schedule.

I would follow-up (email, phone and in-person to their offices) personally, before involving their managing broker.  You're correct that you don't want to adopt any animus by 'tattling', and 'causing your buyer's offer to suffer.

Good luck.

Wow, can't believe we have unprofessional real estate agents behaving this way 

I usually contact them right away, then in an hour and then 2 hours if no response. With 1 company and agent, it was easier to stop at their office to try to talk in person as they never answer their phone or emails 

It may be a cood idea to CC the broker on all correspondence with problem agents.

Better to have two copies of the offer going to the brokerage than one questionable communication.

That is a tough call.  I see your update ... thankfully the agents have responded so no escalation is necessary. 

Depends on the relationship I have with the agents and how much my buyers are interested in the property - usually, I'll give 24 - 48 hours - however, many of my buyers are not interested in properties where the agent isn't interested in responding.

We more often than not just move on to another property

That is a pet peeve of mine too Debe, it's hard to know the best way to handle a situation like that.

Sad but the state of the times.  Lucky you got one response.

Weekends may produce different response times than weekdays. Maybe that agent is inundated with offers, maybe they are out showing property too? I agree it's rude, but only after a reasonable wait time. Your submission time of day may have been after they closed for a social Saturday? Not all agents work weekends.

Call the agent first, Text next and email the agent also in intervals-politely. No response, call broker Monday after one last 9AM attempt. I put "closed Sundays" in the MLS so avoid this feeling of neglect and use an auto-responder.

Sometimes agents are overwhelmed with hundreds of calls, texts, emails and can not answer right away. 

that's much too long to wait.... they're shopping your offer!!!  I'd be chasing down that agent and his broker/owner....

Glad they've responded.  I usually give 12 hours or until the next morning for a response (acceptance or counter). 

Of course, I'm calling them as soon as I send the offer and before I send the offer to let them know it's coming and to discuss terms.

Those not responding have their own agenda.   Many offer expires in 24 hours to avoid using their offer againt others.

As I'm reading your post, I see it's been updated and the agents did respond. Wishing you the best on all 3 offers!!!

That is so frustrating and you hate to keep nagging. I suppose there could be a number of legit reasons. Easy enough to just reply GOT IT to the email, or a quick text. This happens in a slower market but there seems to be more bad behavior right now.

24 hours in a hot market, 48 in a slower market. Your buyers need to be able to move on.

I hear your frustration. I would give it till Monday as most agent would like to receive as many offers as possible during the weekend to best represent their client. However, that does not excuse non-acknowledgment of receipt of the offer. I would email them again stating that this is your second or even third request for offer acknowledgment with a deadline of midnight. Good luck to yah!!!!

This would depend on the agent instructions. In our hot market, often we note in remarks that all offers will be presented on a specific date and time. However, the listing agent should acknowledge response to having received your offer as soon as it arrived. If they don't, that is very unprofessional.

I'm not sure there's an actual point (other than your mandatory period) that would be your judgment call. You are probably getting pressure from your client. But I'm one to call the brokerage if the listing agent does not respond, but even more so to get in touch with the seller directly.

Wow, they submitted offers, yet were non-responsive, wow!   Glad they finally answered.

As other wrote, we always respond with at least a 'received offer' to communicate to the other agent. Glad you finally received responses.

Hmm, so from what I read, most agents believe they can IMPOSE their business model on another agent. You know, the agent who rejects the 24/7 nonsense, has a REAL handle of family values, and realizes the rat race is that because some allow it to happen to them. They may have the conviction and courage to be different and that seems to upset the apple cart.

What you risk, is that your imposition, not the dirtball offer, is the cause of rejection and lack of opportunity to get into the bidding war.

My advise is to register the presence of the offer, not a complaint regarding the agent, with the broker, and wait it out.

As the update revealed, running to momma would have exposed an agent prone to hysteria rather that the 'So-called"  professional they should be.

Unacceptable and I would call sooner than later.

I would try if I haven't had an acknowledgment from the agent within 24 hours.

When I get multiple offers on a property I will confirm receipt of your offer that same day unless you send me the offer at 10pm, then the next day. 3 days is too long to not speak at all- I agree, you don't want to start off on the wrong foot by reporting them so I just keep calling & writing the agent. Eventually a squeeky wheel gets oil. Same token, not all offers are created equal & I  feel like if they wanted your offer they would call you back right away. They probably have started working the deal with someone BEFORE letting down the others. 

Candice A. Donofrio nailed this one!

if we can only clone ourselves

Debe Maxwell, CRS some agents intentionally delay the response, in the hope of getting another offer, especially in this market.

This is where we 'filter in' who the true professionals are!

What is the irrevocable time and date on the offer? Does your jurisdiction require that the buyer or seller respond to the offer?

Debe - First off, I would have called the listing agent to notify them that an offer was on its way, especially in a hot market. At that point, I may get a feel for when we could expect a response, which will be written on the offer itself.

Now if you are just looking for confirmation that the offer was received, I would have asked the agents to confirm when they receive the offer when I called to let them know the offer was coming. If I didn't hear back within a few hours, I would send them another message.

It would also depend on the time of day the offer was submitted. If I submitted an offer in the morning, I would expect a response around lunch time, but no later than end of day for sure. If I submitted an offer at 10pm, I may not expect a response until the next morning, probably before noon, but no later than the end of that day. If it drags on to the next day, I would try the agent again in the morning, and probably by noon, would start reaching out to the broker. I have no problem getting a broker involved.

    Rare, but it has happened. Usually because the LA had their own offer they were trying to push.

        When is the time for acceptance?  If it is getting close, and I have not heard, I will contact the Broker.   If that Broker doesn't respond either, I will go directly to the Seller (my fiduciary with my Buyer supercedes NAR rules about me contacting the Seller). 

Depending on the day.  Sunday's I would wait until late aternoon but most other days i would be buring up the phones to find out if they got the otter.  But, usually I tell the agent I have the offer and am ready to persoanlly present.

If not given permission and my buyer is ol with that, i tell the agent I am walking!  This is getting tougher in this market with multiples.

Looks like they got around to responding. Whew!

On the second day without response and after repeated attempts I would contact the broker. 

In todays cell-phone/texting world there is no excuse for NOT communicating effectively....

I would continue to reach out to the agents.

I've never understood why some agents are so responsive and others....well you really wonder how they stay in business!! Glad the elusive agents answered up to your offers and hope they were all in your favor.

All professional Realtor should respone for sure.  In my opinion.

Sometimes it happens. I usually try calling and leave a message if they don't pick up the phone. Then give them sometime (a couple hours)  to response before sending a text message.  Give more time and send an email.

Nelson has given good advice.

I am not sure at what point I would but I would make several efforts to reach the LA directly. Its possible they didn't receive it etc.