Understanding the real estate market in Norway can be challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with the legal framework. One crucial aspect that is often underestimated is this: once you have submitted a bid, there is no cooling-off period. This can lead to significant consequences for buyers, especially if they haven’t familiarized themselves with the terms beforehand.
Buyer’s Due Diligence
When you submit a bid, you commit to a binding agreement. The bid must include the price, the transfer date, and any conditions. It is essential that you have conducted your due diligence: reading the sales material, inspecting the property, and asking questions to the broker. The buyer’s due diligence implies that you are expected to have understood everything presented to you before placing your bid. Simultaneously, the seller has an obligation to disclose all known information about the property. Keep in mind that the agreement you enter into with the seller is based on this information. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that all details are clear before you submit your bid. Unfortunately, many, particularly people from abroad, enter real estate transactions unaware that they are effectively binding themselves to terms that cannot be changed later. In many other countries, there is some sort of cooling period after the bidding.
Read: Remember that the bid is binding when you buy a home in Norway
A Cautionary Tale About Being “Flexible”
Recently, I was contacted by a homebuyer who had indicated that he was “flexible” regarding the transfer date in the bidding form. In reality, he was far from flexible, as he was expecting a child and wanted to avoid moving during the delivery. He thought this could be discussed further. However, because he wrote “flexible” in the bid, the developer stood firm on their decision regarding the transfer date, creating a difficult situation for this buyer. To avoid legal action and compensation, he had to accept the earlier transfer date. Unfortunately, I could only appeal to the developer to negotiate. If he had come to me before submitting the bid, I would have advised against stating “flexible” in the transfer section of the bid if he was, in fact, not flexible.
It often happens that buyers send me purchase contracts asking for help in reviewing the property they have bought. Many mistakenly believe that there are still opportunities for negotiation after they have submitted a binding bid that has been accepted. Unfortunately, that is not possible, and if the property is in order without them having checked and understood the sales material, it’s simply luck.
Read: What is the penalty for a walk away buyer
A Call to Homebuyers
Dear homebuyer, come to me in time. Before you place a bid on a property.
It is essential to seek advice to ensure that you are making a safe transaction and a good investment. Remember, there is no cooling-off period after your bid has been accepted!
Boligdama – Trude Larsen
trude@boligdama.no – +47 950 37 330
Foto: www.friberg.no
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