How offers arrive
Offers are delivered to you electronically via email and through your seller dashboard. The package typically includes:- The purchase and sale agreement — Florida’s standard FAR/BAR contract or the buyer’s equivalent
- Any addenda — inspection contingency riders, financing contingencies, “as-is” addenda, and similar attachments
- Proof of financing — a mortgage pre-approval letter, proof-of-funds statement, or both
What to evaluate in an offer
Price is the headline number, but it rarely tells the full story. A high-priced offer with weak financing or aggressive contingencies may ultimately net you less than a slightly lower offer that closes cleanly. Evaluate every offer across all of these dimensions:| Factor | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Offer price | How it compares to your asking price, recent comps, and your bottom line |
| Financing type | Cash offers are fastest and carry no appraisal risk; conventional loans are standard; FHA and VA loans have additional appraisal requirements |
| Proof of funds / pre-approval | Is the pre-approval from a reputable lender? Is it a full underwriting approval or a basic pre-qual? Cash buyers should provide a current bank statement or asset letter |
| Contingencies | Inspection, financing, and appraisal contingencies all give the buyer an exit right — review the timeframes carefully |
| Closing timeline | Does it align with your move-out plans? A 21-day cash close and a 45-day financed close have very different implications |
| Earnest money deposit | Higher earnest money signals buyer seriousness and provides more protection if they walk away without cause |
| Special terms | Seller concessions, closing cost contributions, requests to include appliances or furniture, post-closing occupancy requests |
Your response options
For every offer you receive, you have three choices:- Accept — sign the purchase agreement and move into the contract phase. Once accepted, you’re bound by the contract terms.
- Reject — decline the offer outright. You’re not required to explain why. The buyer may or may not submit a revised offer.
- Counter — respond with modified terms. You can counter on price, closing date, contingency timeframes, earnest money, concessions, or any other term in the contract. Negotiations can go back and forth multiple rounds until both parties agree or one party decides not to continue.
Multiple offers
If more than one offer arrives — whether at the same time or in close succession — you have several options:- Review and compare them simultaneously and respond to each one (accept one, counter or reject others)
- Call for highest and best — notify all buyers that you’re in a multiple-offer situation and invite each to submit their strongest final offer by a deadline
- Accept the best offer as received without running a highest-and-best round
Support by plan
- Essentials & Pro
- Elite
On Essentials and Pro, you review all offers and manage all negotiations independently. You have full access to every document through your seller dashboard and can communicate directly with the buyer’s agent to ask questions, request clarification, or submit a counteroffer.If you reach an offer and realize you’d like broker guidance before responding, you can upgrade to Elite at any time — even after an offer has arrived — with no upgrade penalty.Support is available at support@fortifylistings.com or (407) 777-4-MLS (M–F, 9 am – 5 pm ET) for process and platform questions.
You can upgrade from Essentials or Pro to Elite at any point — including after you’ve received an offer. There are no upgrade fees and no penalties. Many sellers make this decision the moment their first offer lands.
Frequently asked questions
Can I counter an offer?
Can I counter an offer?
Yes. You can counter on any term — price, closing date, contingency timeframes, earnest money, seller concessions, included items, or anything else in the contract. Counteroffers can go back and forth multiple rounds. There’s no limit on the number of rounds, and either party can walk away at any point before a final agreement is signed. Elite sellers have broker guidance through every round of the back-and-forth.
What does Elite's offer review include?
What does Elite's offer review include?
When you receive an offer on Elite, your broker reviews the full purchase agreement and all addenda with you. This includes a term-by-term walkthrough, identification of any contingencies or clauses that carry risk or opportunity, and a recommended response strategy. If you decide to counter, your broker helps you structure the counteroffer. Throughout multiple-offer situations, your broker advises on how to run a highest-and-best and how to evaluate the results. This guidance is available via the priority broker line in your dashboard throughout the transaction.
Can I have multiple offers at the same time?
Can I have multiple offers at the same time?
Yes. You can receive, hold, and review multiple offers simultaneously. Florida real estate law does not require you to respond in order of receipt or treat all offers equally. You can accept one, counter others, reject some, or run a highest-and-best scenario with all active buyers. If you’re on Elite, your broker can advise on which approach is likely to produce the best outcome given the specific offers in hand.