An offer that has been countered is considered what?

When an offer is countered, it is considered a rejection of the original offer because the act of making a counter-offer indicates that the original offer is no longer accepted as it stands. Instead, the counter-offer introduces new terms or conditions for consideration by the original offeror. This means that the original contract is effectively voided, and the second party must then decide whether to accept or reject the new terms presented in the counter-offer.

It's important to recognize that the counter-offer does not create a binding agreement until accepted by the original offeror. This dynamic is critical in real estate transactions, where negotiations can often involve multiple counter-offers and adjustments to terms, proving the necessity for clear communication and understanding of each party's intentions throughout the process.