All it takes is two buyers who want the same thing appearing at the same time

180 Byram Shore Road, on the market for the past 700+ days and which could have been yours as recently as two months ago for $1.395, has just sold for $1.695.

It’s surprising how often this actually happens. Our clients are naturally dismayed and sometimes think that the listing broker is playing games, but no: it’s not unusual, and not some sly subterfuge.

(This is not to say that some agents don’t try to jack up bids by claiming “There’s another buyer who’s about to make a bid” — I remember two different agents lying to me like that, and I still remember their names 15 and 20 years later, and I never believed a word they said ever again.)