We are considering putting our SFH rental up for sale. I could be wrong but I think we have to sign a contract with the realtor for six months.

My question is if we have an offer that meets our asking price and terms, do we have the right to refuse the offer?

For example, we live in the neighborhood and do not want to contribute to ADUs or Junior ADUs, which are permitted… those would change the entire neighborhood and not in a good way.

We’re just a mom & pop landlord, and while I know we cannot control certain things, we do have a social conscience when it comes to our neighborhood. Eventually I’m sure zoning will change to also permit apartments since we have rather deep lots but I don’t want to knowingly contribute to this. I think you for your input but really, I don’t need any criticism about how we feel. Thanks!

The buyer does not have to disclose what they will do. Sometimes money talks and BS walks. We went with the best financial candidate once-found out later about his past. I am not the morale police. I won't wait until until I find a buyer who suits me. Not a rental.

Back to your original question and in this day and age of "you can't say or do this or that" I asked my NJ broker this question. And surprisingly his answer was YES.

I can refuse any offer I don't like and I don't have to give a reason.

IF you don't want anything to change, don't sell. Will you also ask that the Buyer not paint or change the front door?

I believe you could refuse an offer but if you had a full price offer the broker could insist on being paid his commission,your agreement with the broker is for him to bring you a ready willing and able buyer and if he does you would owe a commission.Considering this is part of the liberal agenda to destroy single family neighborhoods i admire what you want to do.You can have your attorney add a deed restriction saying no ADU and no additional units on the property.This will possibly take you longer to sell and get less money but it is up to you.If you do this make it clear in the listing and the contract so there is no argument when the buyer finds out.

You should be able to tell the Buyers what they can do with the house they buy from your if the Buyers can also tell you what to do with the money they pay you for said house. What's good for the goose....

Just sell as is or don't sell. Don't be like the Govt, telling private property owners what they can and can't do with their property.

Buy every house on the block so you have complete control or start an HOA before you sell and become the president.

When I sold my last PR I hoped it would be to a family as it was a great house in a good location. I drive by there when heading to a bigger town I frequent. They have put up a big pole barn which ruined the yard, took down the fence and added what seems to be a fleet of old junky used cars.

There always must be a caveat for CA, but "normally":

Yes, you can refuse any offer.

The agent does want to get paid through an accepted offer at some point.

If you find the agent is unresponsive, or in any way not representing you well, you do not want to be locked in with them too long.

California, who knows what unreasonable laws there might be.

Anywhere I have lived, if there is a bona fide offer at full price without unacceptable contingencies, then you can still refuse the offer. At that point, you would owe the real estate agent his commission, because he had fulfilled the terms of your contract with him.

If you have accepted an offer, but change your mind, then you can be sued for breach of contract, and it is my understanding that where I am (Idaho), you would be liable for double the damages. You simply do not back out of a real estate sale unless you or the buyer can not meet the contingencies that are on the contract.

Normal listing periods are 90 days. You can take it off the market if your circumstances changes and you have that in your contract.

If you get a full price offer and refuse, you agent can sue you for their lost commission.

I listed a house and then my broker went on vacation without notice, leaving a salesman to attend to my listing. The salesman called me up saying he has obtained an officer I have to drive to his office for a presentation. He would not tell me the amount. So I drove an hour and the offer was for less than I paid for the house, 10 years prior. This jokester was thinking I was desperate and could have a friend of his cheat me in value. I then took the property off the market. When the broker returned she was going to sue me for the commission. I first sued them because I was instructed to remodel the house before the listing. I put $10 grand into the house, new carpet and painting. Didn't need it but agent said it would sell faster. The two of them each didn't share notes. She when this went to court the judge couldn't believe the events. 10 years prior I purchased the house using the same agent, paying $80,000. The house appreciated from $80K to $175K, plus I painted and had new carpeting installed. We listed the house for $189,000. They came in with an offer at $69,950.