Can Real Estate Agents Lie About Offers?

If you’re buying or selling a home in Westchester County, you’ve probably wondered: can real estate agents lie about offers? With the competitive nature of our market, from multiple offers on a Scarsdale colonial to bidding wars for a Yonkers starter home, it’s a fair concern.

The short answer: no, real estate agents cannot legally lie about offers. In New York State, real estate professionals are bound by strict ethical standards and licensing laws. Misrepresenting or fabricating an offer is considered fraud, and it can cost an agent their license, career, and reputation. The New York Department of State regulates agents, and violations can lead to serious penalties.

That said, it’s important to understand how offers are presented. In Westchester, agents are not always required to disclose every detail about competing offers to other buyers. For example, an agent may tell you that “there are multiple offers on the property” without giving exact amounts or terms. This isn’t dishonesty, it’s a way to protect the seller’s negotiating position while keeping the process fair.

So what should you expect?

• Transparency with your agent. If you’re a buyer, your agent must be honest with you about how strong your offer is and what strategies can help you stand out.

• Accurate communication from the listing agent. While they don’t have to share the numbers, they cannot invent offers that don’t exist.

• Professional accountability. In smaller, close knit markets like Westchester, where many agents know one another, reputations matter. An agent caught lying risks not just penalties, but also losing trust in the community.

If you ever feel uncertain, you can request written confirmation of submitted offers. In fact, in New York, listing agents are required to keep a record of all offers they receive for at least three years. This adds a layer of accountability that protects both buyers and sellers.

At the end of the day, most agents in Westchester work hard to guide their clients honestly and ethically, because word travels fast here, from White Plains to New Rochelle. The best way to protect yourself is to work with an experienced agent you trust, someone who knows the neighborhoods, the market, and the right way to advocate for you.

Thinking about buying or selling in Westchester? Let’s connect. I’ll walk you through the process with complete transparency so you can feel confident every step of the way.