When the seller did not respond, the couple increased their bid and were told that it had been accepted.
They also discussed how to press Microsoft to increase its bid.
Additionally, Colony has apparently lost interest, having failed to increase its bid beyond $41 a share and making no public comment for several weeks.
Black & Decker said it had not yet decided whether to increase its bid beyond $73 a share.
They immediately increased their bid by $10,000 and got the house.
Several analysts said Amax would be likely to increase its bid slightly in the coming week.
He would also have to increase his current bid, $275 a share, the source added.
They had already increased their initial bid on the plot.
Unilever increased its bid by $6 a share, to $72, Sunday night, executives said.
He persuaded Greyhound, which was at first reluctant, to increase its bid.