Dilemma - which offer would you accept?

[underthewestway]

My house has been up for sale for a month and I'm really keen to get it sold quickly as I don't live there any more so paying mortgage, CT etc on top of my own living expenses at the minute.

Two offers: one slightly below asking price, mortgage in place, but would put me at top of a chain with two other transactions below me. The offer is contingent on me taking my house off the market.

Second offer is at asking price, but the financials aren't yet in place and the prospective buyer is self-employed. Confident everything will go through, but needs to get accounts certified so at least another fortnight-3 weeks before confirmation. BUT it is a FTB so no chain.

Which would you go for? Tbh it is less about the offer itself for me, more about the level of confidence in whether the sale will actually go through. Really grateful for any views!

[kittybiscuits]

I would tell the buyer with below asking price offer that you have an offer of full asking price but will take it off the market if they match this offer.

[wowfudge]

Yes - that's a good plan given the circumstances of both.

[Testificateman]

I'd go with kitty on that one.

[underthewestway]

Thank you for the replies 😊

So you would be less concerned about the viability of the chain than the credentials of the first time buyer? I'm much less worried about the difference in the offers than the risk of the sale not going through. I'd rather have the first time buyer because it will be more straightforward, but if I wait for her finances to check out (and they don't) then I've maybe lost the other offer.

[Portillolovestrains]

FTB for me, more straightforward, you will know in a couple of weeks if mortgage not approved.