Cynthia Larsen - Sonoma County Real Estate Broker

Today, I'm watching an agent drown in a glass of water. The ball is in his court, his voice mailbox is full, he hasn't answered my e-mails and the asset manager is getting impatient. The situation isn't difficult ... when a counter offer is presented there are only three possible answers. Accept, reject or counter back.

The asset manager is asking the buyer to waive their inspection contingency. Since their offer is all cash with no loan or appraisal contingency, this would put the buyers substantial earnest money deposit at risk from the moment the ink dries.

So what does the buyers agent do? Complain and tell me how ridiculous the asset manager is being. Yes, the request is unreasonable, the house is over 100 years old and nobody in their right mind would go along with the counter as-is.

I've given the buyers agent some ideas on how to deal with this situation, but he is too busy expending every ounce of energy he has in telling ME to do something about it. I've had to hear about every flaw the house has, how generous his buyer has been, how experienced an agent he is and how there must be some kind of law that prohibits the bank from making such a request.

Instead of getting all wet, the agent needs to help the buyer make a stand and counter back with what they think is fair and reasonable.

There is no reason to drown in a glass of water. In real estate, everything is negotiable ... so negotiate.