When is it deemed that an offer has been accepted?

An offer is deemed to be accepted when acceptance is communicated back to the offeror. This is based on the principle of contract law that emphasizes the necessity of clear communication for forming a binding agreement. For an acceptance to be valid, the offeree must convey their agreement to the terms of the offer in a manner that the offeror can understand and acknowledge.

In the context of a real estate transaction or any contractual agreement, merely signaling intent or offering a different proposal does not constitute acceptance. It’s only when the offeree explicitly communicates their acceptance of the original offer that a binding contract is created. Communication can take various forms, such as verbal communication, written acceptance, or other agreed-upon methods that fulfill the requirement of notifying the offeror.

The other scenarios provided do not satisfy the criteria for acceptance. Payment, for instance, indicates intent but does not confirm acceptance in a legal sense unless paired with clear communication. A counteroffer changes the terms of the original offer and requires a new acceptance. Additionally, while signing a contract solidifies an agreement, it is the communication of acceptance that triggers the binding nature of the offer before any signatures are exchanged. Thus, communicating acceptance is the critical factor in determining when an offer has been accepted.