Made Offer, "Accepted", Did Inspections, Then Seller Accepted Higher Offer, in NY

[toddmanqa]

Hello.

Just got royally screwed in New York. I made a written offer on the house. Received a call back from my agent, 'Offer was accepted'. I scheduled home inspection, chimney inspection, plumbing inspection -- $650.

One day later, my real estate agent calls me, tells me I'm getting bumped. I say, what do you mean, seller accepted. She tells me that the seller's agent was out of town, that the sellers agent hadn't got the seller's signature on the offer. Seller's agent's office scheduled another customer to view house, who made cash offer at full price.

My real estate agent is very sorry--will credit me the $650 on my closing costs when I buy another house through her.

What are my options? I don't think I have any recourse against the seller since there was no signed acceptance of the offer, and all real estate transactions must be in writing.

I think the only action I have is against my own agent, for incompetence in not getting a signed offer back before allowing the inspections to occur. I have not paid my agent anything--they are working on commission only.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Todd

[Mr. Knowitall]

Your agent messed up. As you apparently already know, the seller didn't sign anything so there's not an enforceable contract for the sale of real estate.