You're not a top producer if you can't follow basic offer protocol!

This is a wake-up call for every REALTOR® who’s gotten too casual with how they handle offers. Let’s be clear: the irrevocable time on an offer is not a suggestion. It’s not a flexible window. It’s not a “when I get around to it” moment. It’s a deadline—legally binding, contractually clear, and professionally expected.

This past week, I submitted two separate offers for two different clients. Two completely different deals, in different areas, with different brokerages on the other side. In both cases, I did everything by the book. I submitted the paperwork clearly and professionally. I communicated with the listing agents. I followed up with texts and emails. And yes—I registered both offers. Because that’s what you’re supposed to do. Offer registration isn’t optional. It’s a crucial part of the process that some agents seem to forget, ignore, or just plain avoid. I don’t cut corners with my clients. I make sure I take every step seriously because I refuse to be the weak link in a transaction.

So I submitted, I followed up, I registered—and then I waited. And waited. And waited some more. And you know what happened by the time those irrevocables expired?

Absolutely nothing.

Not a word. No response. No counter. Not even a courtesy “We’re still reviewing.” Just dead silence.

Imagine being a buyer, finally making the leap to put in an offer on a property you love—knowing that you’ve got to move quickly, knowing how competitive things are. You put your trust in your agent. You make a financial commitment. You step into this high-stakes process, and then… you hear nothing. Not even a “no thanks.” That’s not just frustrating—it’s discouraging and disrespectful.

And the worst part? It wasn’t a fluke. This happened with two different REALTORS®, on two different listings, in two different markets. This isn’t a bad day. This is a trend—and it’s a bad one.

When you’re a listing agent and you fail to respond to an offer by the irrevocable time, you’re not just ghosting another agent. You’re doing a disservice to your own seller. You might think you’re creating some sort of mysterious leverage by being elusive, but in reality, you’re hurting your client and your own reputation.

If your seller isn’t ready to accept the offer yet? Fine. Say that. If they’re waiting for another showing? Say that. If you’re overwhelmed or double-booked or trying to reach them and can’t? Just say something. Silence doesn’t come across as powerful or professional—it comes across as lazy. There is no excuse in this industry to ignore a properly submitted, registered offer.

Let’s talk about what offer registration actually means. It’s not just red tape. It’s a record. It proves that an offer came in. It timestamps everything. It’s one more layer of accountability in an industry that needs accountability. I register every offer because I owe it to my clients to make sure their interests are protected. If anything ever goes sideways, that registration is proof that the offer existed, when it came in, and who received it. Skipping that step puts everyone at risk—especially your own clients. I know some agents treat it like a formality, or worse, an inconvenience. But if you’re skipping registration or ignoring it completely, I have to ask: are you really working for your client, or are you just working for yourself?

If you’re not going to respond to offers, don’t take listings. It’s that simple. Sellers don’t hire you to post a listing and disappear. They hire you to facilitate a transaction. That means answering calls, checking emails, and being responsive especially when an offer comes in. If you’re unavailable, unprepared, or unwilling to deal with offers properly, then you shouldn’t be listing properties in the first place.

And to any sellers out there reading this—ask your agent how they handle offers. Ask what happens when one is submitted. Ask how quickly they respond, what tools they use, and whether they’re going to be available during key moments. Because your agent might be the reason you missed an offer without even realizing it.

To be honest, I’m tired of chasing other agents down just to find out if they saw an offer that was registered. This isn’t how our industry is supposed to operate. We’re supposed to cooperate. This is a relationship business, and it only works if we treat each other—and our clients—with basic respect.

I can’t tell you how discouraging it is to look my clients in the eye and say, “I’m sorry. We don’t have an answer.” Not because we were rejected. Not because the seller changed their mind. But because the agent didn’t respond. When a client trusts me to guide them through this massive life moment, I do everything I can to honour that trust. I refuse to be the reason a deal falls apart. But when the agent on the other side disappears? I can only do so much.

Here’s the bottom line: if you can’t manage your listings, your email, your phone, or your paperwork, then step back. Let someone else handle the deal. Because there are professionals out here doing this work properly, and we’re tired of being held back by people who treat real estate like a side hustle.

Irrevocable means irrevocable. Offers are time-sensitive. And our clients deserve better than agents who act like responding to them is optional.

If that offends you, maybe it’s time to look at how you’re conducting business. Because I’m not going to stop doing things properly. I’m not going to stop protecting my clients. And I’m not going to stop calling this stuff out.

Enough is enough. We can—and should—do better.