Skip to content

Can a seller cancel an offer if the buyer drags their heels?

The Offer to Purchase is a key stage in the homebuying process. Know what it entails, such as whether the seller can cancel and Offer to Purchase.

can a seller cancel an offer to purchase

Article summary

  • The Offer to Purchase is a binding agreement and withdrawing will incur penalties.
  • However, the seller has options available to them, such as the 72-hour clause.
  • Examine the Offer to Purchase carefully and ensure you’re protected before signing.

The Offer to Purchase is a key stage in the buying or selling of a property. It’s important to understand this deal and its ramifications. Here we discuss what options the seller has if the buyer is slowing down the deal.

Note Use our Home Loan Calculators to prepare yourself for a home purchase. You can find out what you’re likely to pay on a home loan, transfer costs, and more.

Can you pull out of an Offer to Purchase?

The Offer to Purchase is a binding agreement and pulling out will incur penalties. The party that pulls out could potentially be sued.

The estate agent and conveyancing attorney can also claim full compensation for the time and resources wasted on the deal.

However, there are conditions under which the deal can be cancelled.

An Offer to Purchase can be cancelled if:

  • The buyer fails to fulfill obligations stipulated in the Offer to Purchase.
  • The buyer violates clauses included in the Offer to Purchase.
  • The Offer to Purchase includes a designated deadline date that has passed.

The 72-hour clause: A seller’s best friend

The best option available to the seller is the 72-hour clause.

This allows the seller to keep marketing a property, and to accept a better offer if one is made.

The catch is that the seller has to give the buyer 72 hours to fulfill the terms of the deal before the new offer can be accepted.

If the buyer manages to fulfill their obligations within 72 hours, the seller cannot accept the new offer.

The lesson for sellers

The best recourse for sellers is to carefully examine the Offer to Purchase before signing it, and include terms that ensure the buyer can’t slow down the deal.

For example:

  • Include a deadline date.
  • Include clauses that protect you from a reluctant buyer.
  • Ensure the 72-hour clause isn’t removed.

Of course, including too many terms and conditions may cause the buyer to withdraw their offer, but it’s better than being committed to a deal that ends up backfiring.

Get a free home loan comparison.

Multiple quotes from the big banks to compare.

APPLY

Ranked #1 in Banking on Hellopeter

hello-peter
image-stars

Average rating of 4.86 from over 4 550 reviews

Simply The Best

Ooba home loans services are simply the best. My Consultant Bianca Dancer was so hands on and helpful from the get go. She guided me through the entire process and put me at ease being a first time buyer. I highly recommend their services.

Tia J

Excellent Service

Jay Govender and Maleshini Reddy from OOBA provided outstanding assistance and guidance in securing our home loan. Response times were excellent and they were professional and friendly.

Brice G

Bond Application

Estelle Vorster was really helpful in securing the best deal for my home loan, she not only negotiated a lower interest rate she went as far as securing 50% discount on the transfer costs.

Butana M