How long should I expect to wait for formal contract documentation after an offer is accepted? - Florida
The Short Answer
In Florida residential real estate sales, there is no single statewide statute that guarantees you will receive a “formal contract package” within a specific number of days after a verbal or informal acceptance. Practically, if you have no written acceptance or fully executed contract yet, you should assume the deal may not be enforceable or may still be changing until everything is in writing and signed by all required owners.
What Florida Law Says
Contract formation generally depends on whether there was a clear offer and a clear acceptance communicated in a reasonable way and within a reasonable time. If you are not receiving written confirmation, that raises a real risk that there is not yet a binding agreement—or that key terms (price, closing date, inspection/escrow terms, allocation of costs, etc.) are still unsettled. This is especially important when multiple co-owners are involved, because a buyer typically needs signatures/authority from all owners (or a properly authorized representative) to create an enforceable deal.
The Statute
The primary law governing this issue (as provided in the reference materials) is Fla. Stat. § 680.206.
This statute states that, unless the offer clearly requires something different, an offer can be accepted in any manner and by any medium that is reasonable under the circumstances, and if the offeror is not notified of acceptance within a reasonable time, the offeror may treat the offer as having lapsed.
Why You Should Speak with an Attorney
While the statute provides a general “reasonable time/reasonable manner” framework, applying it to a residential real estate sale—especially with co-owners—can get complicated quickly. Legal outcomes often depend on:
- Strict Deadlines: What counts as a “reasonable time” for notice of acceptance can be disputed, and delay can create leverage problems or cause a deal to fall apart if the buyer or sellers treat the offer as lapsed under § 680.206.
- Burden of Proof: If there is no written confirmation, proving who accepted what terms (and when) often turns into a credibility and documentation fight (texts, emails, call logs, agent communications, and draft documents).
- Exceptions: With multiple owners, questions about authority to accept, whether all co-owners must sign, and whether any owner can back out can change the analysis and the buyer’s remedies.
Trying to handle this alone can lead to misunderstandings, lost negotiating position, or a dispute over whether you are actually under contract at all.
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Disclaimer: This article provides general information under Florida law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed attorney.