when i bought my house ( 2012), first day , i put in offer, within 2 hrs, there are 2 more offers.
Then, the owner said wait till 1st open house, after open house 3 more offers.
all together 6 offers, i go through my own agent ( not listing agent to make sure independent), so, gave my best offer and see what happened.
So, only branch manager and agents ( individually) went in to present the offer to owner at branch office.
i got the house, but was told i was close to next best offer, but my offer has short settlement which owner likes it and signed.
And my agent actually calculate how much interests will be saved by him.
at that time, writing more money on the agreement for best offer causes chest pain.... fingers stiff and can't sign properly!
now on hindsight, can understand why so many people want it, cos, it is fulll site / flat and rentangular and westlake zones, forrest hill primary , takapuna intermediate.