That market was very different from today’s market.  Response time then was in hours and days, not weeks and months.  Short sales were virtually non-existent and foreclosures making it into the MLS were not that common either.

The question my client asked is a tough one. And, from what I’m reading from other Phoenix Realtors, I’m not the only one getting this question.

Can I submit more than one offer at a time? – Rod Rebello

Writing Offers on Multiple Properties – Jonathan Dalton

Ask the Broker: Is it legal to place offers on multiple homes? - Jay Thompson

The comments on Jay’s post show just how challenging it is for buyer’s right now.

My client just submitted her fifth offer to purchase a home, which is not all that many in this market. She was outbid on a several foreclosures. One short seller didn’t even respond to a full-price offer. And, this buyer is watching Phoenix home prices begin to increase in her price range, and she’s trying very hard not to panic. You can understand why she asked the question.

In the end, she opted to write one offer for the property that she really wanted.  There’s still something about real estate, where a house becomes a home.  And the look in her eye, as she walked through the door of the house, said it all. "This is where I want to live."  Multiple offers or not, that’s what real estate is still about for most home buyers.