What type of offer is made by a buyer that does not meet a seller's demands in the listing?

The situation described involves a buyer who submits an offer that does not fully align with the seller's terms, which typically results in the buyer making a proposal that may be lower in price or lacking certain conditions the seller is looking for. This scenario is best represented by a counteroffer, which is a response to an initial offer where the terms have been modified.

While the term "offer to purchase" may seem relevant, it generally refers to a straightforward proposal made by a buyer without any deviation or modification from what the seller has requested—it is not one that fails to meet the seller's demands. The counteroffer indicates that the buyer is negotiating, signaling that they wish to engage with the seller's demands but on different terms. This communication process is fundamental in real estate transactions, allowing negotiations to clarify or adjust initial offers until they meet mutual agreement.

Contingent offers involve conditions that must be met for the sale to go through, but don't specifically address the situation where a buyer's offer doesn't meet a seller's demands. Similarly, a preliminary offer doesn't imply negotiation on terms; it's just an initial bid that hasn't necessarily led to counter-discussions. Therefore, the accurate term for the buyer's action in not meeting the seller's terms is indeed a