The contract principle that an acceptance must match the exact terms of the offer, or it becomes a counteroffer.
Why Mirror Image Rule matters on the exam
This term belongs to Contracts. The questions below are real items from Freehold's bank that use it - each one cites its source.
Exam questions using Mirror Image Rule
Every Freehold question shows why the right answer is right — and cites its source.
Under the 'mirror image rule,' an acceptance is only valid if it:
Improves the terms in the offeree's favor
Is delivered on the same day as the offer
Is accompanied by a larger earnest money deposit
Matches the exact terms of the offer without any changes
Show answer & explanation
Matches the exact terms of the offer without any changes — The mirror image rule requires that an acceptance exactly match the terms of the offer; any variation is treated as a counteroffer rather than an acceptance.
Source: PSI National Real Estate Exam Content Outline §7 Contracts
A seller receives an offer at $350,000 and signs back, 'Accepted, subject to a 45-day closing instead of 30 days.' Under the mirror image rule, the seller's response is legally a:
Counteroffer
Valid acceptance, since the price was unchanged
Binding contract enforceable against the buyer only
Unilateral contract
Show answer & explanation
Counteroffer — Because the seller changed a material term, the closing date, the response is not an acceptance but a counteroffer, which itself may be freely withdrawn until the original buyer accepts it.
Source: PSI National Real Estate Exam Content Outline §7 Contracts
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