Suggestions to give our offer more credibility?

[TwigletMonster]

We've seen a house we like, and make an offer (£19k below asking).

There's been another offer, in region of £9k below asking. The vendor has turned both down at the moment. 6 more viewings booked, so I think it might go for nearer asking price.

We could stretch to asking if required, but the agent is saying that might not be the only criteria.

We have accepted an offer on our place, but the buyers haven't sold.

What can I do to give the seller confidence that we are serious and genuine, even if we don't offer the full asking price?

Am a bit naive in these matters!

[MovingAndScared]

to be honest the only way to make it more crediable would be if you were in a position to proceed - which you are not - are you still taking veiwings etc on your house

[myron]

Non proceed able offers are fantasy offers IMO. Sorry, but you did ask!

[myron]

I think that the agent means that they would not necessarily take the highest offer i.e they might accept a lower offer to a cash buyer/no chain buyer/short chain buyer rather than accept an asking price offer from a longer chain buyer. Unless you are SSTC, any offer is rather meaningless.

[herhonesty]

very little without being under offer and near to the asking price. sorry.

[TwigletMonster]

It's ok, it's not our dream house or anything, just fits all the pratocal requirements.

I am a bit confused by the notion that you wouldn't have any offer accepted unless the chain beneath you was completely proceedable. For instance, if you go to view House A, and the agent says they've 'found' House B, how can that be? Ie surely House B wouldn't accept an offer from House A if they are not under offer?

Anyway, we've sold ours privately and have agreed with the buyers that we each have a few weeks to sell and find. Ho hum.

[TwigletMonster]

practical

[myron]

Some people will be able to buy another house without selling their current one but then, they would make an offer as a proceedable no chain buyer. Personally, if I was House B, I would only consider an offer from House A if they were under offer. Having their house on the market doesn't mean much since there are loads of houses on the market and few potential buyers in comparison. It may take a while to sell House A. I wouldn't take my house off the market to someone who has yet to be under offer on their house if they need to sell it to buy yours. It's the end of May - any spring bounce has bounced! Put your house back on the market pronto is my advice if you want the best chance of selling it anytime soon.

[TwigletMonster]

Ok i'm starting to get my head round the terminology now.

Still going to give our buyers a few weeks to get their own buyer - we've not used an estate agent and want to avoid that if possible.

It does seem like the whole chain thing could take forever - if each link in the chain waits until someone from below comes along, all fully sold, then surely the first person in the chain could be waiting ages from having their offer accepted!

[Fiddledee]

Its a waiting game, there is often a cash buyer or a buyer in rental that shortens the chain. If your "potential" buyer has not sold I would not want any offers from you. I would stop viewing houses until your side of the chain is secure. People often do spend months waiting to exchange.

[mrsravelstein]

myron is right, i can't tell you how many lovely near asking prices offers we've had from people who aren't proceedable, and in some cases who weren't even on the market! such offers are totally meaningless.

[mrsravelstein]

and yes twiglet it does take forever, we've been on the market for 18 months, have lost about 3 houses because of chains breaking down, and today have just lost another one just as we were ready to exchange