Buyers who lose out in a multiple-offer competition or who make an offer a little too late may be offered the opportunity to be in a backup position. A backup offer is one that’s accepted subject to the collapse of an already accepted offer.
The seller can accept multiple backup offers, in which case they are ranked: backup offer No. 1, backup offer No. 2, and so forth. It’s rare in the current market for there to be more than one backup offer.
If you’re offered backup position, should you accept it? Buyers are often reluctant to accept a backup offer because they feel it will strengthen the resolve of the buyers in primary position to move forward with the deal if they hit a rough patch, such as a previously unknown inspection issue. And, in fact, this can happen.
Recently, buyers went into contract to buy a home in Oakland, Calif. The sellers provided many reports and disclosures on the condition of the property. However, someone inspecting for the buyers had a different opinion about the condition of the roof, gutters and downspouts, and said it would cost an extra $13,000 to fix.
Two days after the first contract was accepted, another buyer made an offer that was accepted in backup position. The backup offer was for a higher price than the primary offer. Rather than lose the house to the backup buyers, the first buyers removed their inspection contingency despite the new information they received about the condition of the roof.
Some buyers fear that if they accept backup position they will halt their search effort until they know for sure that they can’t have the home they want. This is a factor you can control. If you accept backup position, don’t slow down your quest to find a home to buy.
HOUSE HUNTING TIP: Make sure there is a provision in the backup position clause in the contract that says the buyers can withdraw at any time up until they are notified that the primary offer has collapsed and their offer has been elevated to the primary position.
It’s usually worthwhile to accept a backup position because there is a high fallout rate in the current market. Just don’t sit around waiting for the first deal to fall apart.
From the sellers’ perspective, it’s usually a good idea to counter an offer for backup position if there is more than one offer. Keep in mind that most buyers would rather be in primary position. Some won’t accept backup for the reasons mentioned above, or they may have another house in mind if they don’t get yours.
To entice a buyer to accept backup position, you may have to accept an offer with a lower price than the primary offer. Don’t expect a buyer to accept a counteroffer from you for backup position that also includes a price increase. Make sure you tidy up the offer as if it were a primary offer. There won’t be a chance to change the terms if the primary deal falls apart.
Don’t accept any offer just to have a backup offer. If you have a backup offer and the first contract fails, your home goes to the backup buyer without going back on the market. This can be a benefit to both buyers and sellers. The backup buyer doesn’t have to face multiple offers again, and the sellers don’t have to go through the hassle of finding another buyer.
Sellers who don’t like a potential backup offer because of a very low price might be better off not countering the offer for backup position.
THE CLOSING: Sellers should feel comfortable with a prospective backup offer; they may have to live with it.
