the norm here is for the sellers agent to present to the seller, however I have requested to present.  I had an offer early spring that the sellers agent just wasn't getting and we requested to present to the seller ourselves.  agent had a coniption fit... and wouldn't let us.  We finally got it together, but it was a painful one.

Sure, I've been through happy hour already but kinda confused- Offer to the "buyer" ?

Anna, never either way, but I think it would be a good idea when you have that "gut" feeling your offer may not be presented. I have been tempted but so far, no.

PS and by the way, there doesn't seem to be a standard of "normal" in my area. lol

For my listings, I prefer that the Buyer's agent NOT be allowed to present in person to my clients.  Here in Portland, OR, the rule is that the Buyer's agent can present, but cannot then stay on for discussion.  But sometimes you cannot get them to leave (my client's home) without being forceful/rude.  I've seen it and will not go there again.

My reasoning is that the offer is math and text.   We don't need someone standing in the room to try to sway them.  I want my clients to be comfortable with the decision they make.   And if we want to counter, I want time for us to prepare a good one, not "on the spot" with another agent standing around.

This was the norm and I have heard some very funny stories,  But with fax and email it has become the norm to allow the seller's agents to do it for you.  However I did do one, not sure if this counts, but in my past life (RE assist) I had my own client and we happen to write an offer on one of my bosses houses.  He had me present it to him and seller - I kept thinking this was a test.  But we got it!  So guess the paper pusher did good.

Jana

In our area it can go either way. I have presented offers directly to the Seller before and will do again when the situation begs for it.

However...these days (especially in a market like ours that has a high percentage of vacation/2nd home buyers, and absentee sellers), all too often the entire transaction is by fax or e-mail.

In these cases I at least try to present directly to the Seller's agent, especially if there are complications. Any of the rest of you run into this?

p.s. to Phil: yes, it is expected for the Buyer's agent to leave after presenting so that the Seller's agent and Seller can confer. Good manners rule.

I'm totally with Beth.  Manners do rule !!

Anna,

When I was a new agent, it was customary in my area for the buyer's agent to present their offers to the sellers and the seller's agent.  After the presentation, the buyer's agent is expected to leave.  

Over the last couple of years most agents have resorted to faxing the offer to the listing agent's office & calling the listing agent to review the offer prior to the offer getting presented to the sellers.  

I always try to present the offers to sellers if I am the buyers agent so I can add some emotion to the presentation.  If I am a seller's agent in this market, I like the buyer's agent to present the offer.  That way, if there is a question about the offer, it gets answered right away.

Rob  

I've never done it myself but another agent in our office did it just this week.  She didn't believe the other agent would present the offer in the best light because she was pretty sure the other agent had his own Buyer in the works.

I've presented directly before. Prefer not to. Seller tends to kill the messenger and it's hard to charm when you're delivering an offer completely advantageous to the other party. :)

Better to send a brief, factual cover letter if you feel you must clarify or explain.

In our area we have to allow the buyers agent to be present at the offer presentation even if by fax or e-mail. If the buyers agent wants to present I have my sellers come to the office.

When the buyers agent gets there I introduce him/or her and say him/ or her is going to tell us about the offer and then leave us so we can talk about it.

I present some of my buyers offers it works out to my buyers advantage I believe.

I had one that was listed 30k higher than it should have been I brought my over 30k under list offer showed all the comps and was convincing enough that the seller paid for an appraisal which came in where my offer was. Offer was accepted instead of just countering or rejecting which probably would have happened if I didn't present.

Candice said, "Better to send a brief, factual cover letter if you feel you must clarify or explain." and I agree completely. I will have the buyer write a personal note and I will include the cma to document the basis for the price of the offer.

That's a good idea, having the buyer write a personal note. One time, we did something similar . . . had a buyer who needed a house in a certain area. Had them write a letter and include a family picture. Then scanned it to my letterhead and farmed it out. Got them a house really fast.

I used that tactic quite a bit; On my letterhead, I usually write a nice bio about the buying family and include a photo if possible, then include this in the offer package.  I think it helps.  Especially if the offer is lower than list.

Yes, a visual of the mom, dad and kidz tugs at the seller's heartstrings. :)

I love, love, love Buyer letters!  Haven't lost on one yet.