Can a buyer back out of a counter-offer at any point before the offer is signed?

The assertion that a buyer can back out of a counter-offer at any point before the offer is signed is correct because a counter-offer is not considered a binding agreement until both parties have signed it. In real estate transactions, an offer becomes legally enforceable only when there is mutual agreement, which is typically indicated by the signatures of both parties involved. Until the counter-offer is signed by the seller and accepted by the buyer, either party retains the right to withdraw from the negotiation without any legal obligation.

This principle upholds the standard practices in contract law, underscoring the importance of formal acceptance and mutual assent before a contract takes effect. The buyer, therefore, has the flexibility to reconsider their decision and withdraw from the counter-offer without facing any consequences, provided that they do so before the acceptance is formally executed.