When does a seller release a buyer from an original offer?

A seller releases a buyer from an original offer when a counteroffer is made. This occurs because a counteroffer effectively voids the original offer. When a seller presents a counteroffer, they are stating new terms that change the conditions of the initial agreement, which means the buyer can no longer accept the original offer.

This principle is based on the concept that an offer in contract law must remain unaltered for it to be valid. Once a counteroffer is on the table, the original offer no longer exists, and the buyer must either accept the new terms presented or choose not to engage further. Other options, such as signing a new agreement or both parties deciding to walk away, could lead to different outcomes, but the clear and defining moment of releasing the buyer from the original offer happens with the creation of a counteroffer.