Sometimes A Seller And Buyer Will Not Be Able To Agree On A Sales Price

In a relatively fast moving market with plenty of homes going under contract after receiving multiple offers, it's possible to forget that some houses don't immediately go under contract.

If a house doesn't go under contract in the first week, or the first few weeks, or the first month...

1.  Buyers might want to or need to try to negotiate on price.

2.  Sellers might want to stay relatively firm on price.

Buyers -- That's fine if you want to negotiate on price, though keep in mind that the house might actually be priced reasonably even if it has not yet gone under contract.

Sellers -- That's fine if you want to stay relatively firm on price, though keep in mind that the buyer who makes an offer might only be willing or able to go up so much on price.

And thus, sometimes, buyers and sellers reach an impasse.

A buyer might love a house... but might not be able or willing to come up to a price that will work for a seller.

A seller might love to sell their house... but might not be able or willing to come down to a price that will work for a buyer.

Even if a fast moving market with homes selling at record high prices, not all offers turn into contracts.