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Original poster

Is this normal when making an offer on House?

265 replies

offerquery · 23/05/2024 19:02

I've seen house to buy. It's been on the market for around two months or so. It's already been reduced in price online.

When it was reduced, I made an offer slightly under the asking price. After a couple of days they said they want full asking price.
So I immediately offered the full asking price.

Anyway, I haven't heard anything so I've just called the estate agents and they said the family want to think about it. So they will get back to me on Tuesday.

I was really confused about this because I've offered the full asking price so I'm not sure what there is to think about?

She said they feel somebody else might be interested in the property. I asked a couple of questions about this… It turns out the person who is "interested " hasn't sold their house and hasn't said they want to make an offer. They've simply said they like the house. But have not indicated at all that they are looking to make an offer.

I have a feeling I know who this is because when I was viewing the house for the second time, a woman was there and I heard her say that she likes the house and that was it. So I'm not sure if that's the person

I just don't understand. I'm not sure if they're trying to get more than the asking price from me. Or if they're just waiting to see if they get any other offers over the next few days?

OP posts:
Mrsttcno1 · 23/05/2024 20:29

A few of my friends have moved house in the last few months and this has been the case for all of them. Especially if they have other viewings lined up for tomorrow, why wouldn’t they wait to see if they get a better offer from one of those?

It is frustrating for you OP but from their point of view, why wouldn’t they? They already know you want the house and they already have an offer of asking price, if they have viewings lined up for tomorrow then it makes sense for them to see if they can get a better offer from one of those.

DappledThings · 23/05/2024 20:27

offerquery · 23/05/2024 20:24

@FredsRoses

And if I did pull the offer, are they able to come back to me at a later date to ask if I'm still interested? So if I pulled it tomorrow, could they come back to me on Tuesday to ask if I'm interested? Or once you've pulled it, that's it?

Yes they can do that. In England making or accepting or withdrawing an offer can all be done multiple times. It doesn't lock anything down.

Theteapotsbrokenspout · 23/05/2024 20:26

I had this and I did exactly what @FredsRoses said. The estate agent appeared very taken aback when I explained I had offered full asking price and did not expect to be left waiting over a bank holiday weekend whilst my offer was used as a bargaining tool.
I found another, better, house.

Original poster
offerquery · 23/05/2024 20:24

@FredsRoses

And if I did pull the offer, are they able to come back to me at a later date to ask if I'm still interested? So if I pulled it tomorrow, could they come back to me on Tuesday to ask if I'm interested? Or once you've pulled it, that's it?

OP posts:
DappledThings · 23/05/2024 20:24

This is all very normal. Frustrating for sure, but normal.

Original poster
offerquery · 23/05/2024 20:23

@FredsRoses

Really? I'd feel gutted to lose it in a way. The estate agent didn't seem bothered in the slightest when I said I was viewing other properties tomorrow.
Also, even if I pull out, couldn't they say that to the viewers tomorrow anyway?

I really believe in fate myself. I truly felt like this house was meant to be mine. The fact it has had so many views and no one has made an offer.
It has been sat empty for a year apparently.

Their family member who passed away 12 months ago lived there. She hadn't lived there long.

The neighbour said they have been through probate and everything already. And the neighbour also said they are very keen to sell.
There have been countless people viewing it every single week for the last 2 - 3 months but I'm the only one who's made an offer.

OP posts:
Jc2001 · 23/05/2024 20:18

They'll be coming back in a months time with their tail between their legs asking if you're still interested 😂. If you're still looking offer them £5k less

Toxicinlawz · 23/05/2024 20:14

offerquery · 23/05/2024 20:09

@Toxicinlawz

Yes I did wonder this. It's been on the market though for two months and not a single offer has been made.

In my mind, I was thinking once someone offers the full asking price, the job is done. Sold! That's the end of it. I didn't expect them to take a week to think about it!

That's exactly how it should be and they should be grateful for a buyer like you that has come along and has offered asking price and your just trying to get on with it. Good luck . I hope it all goes well what ever you decide to do.

FredsRoses · 23/05/2024 20:10

I'm an ex estate agent, and in your shoes I would withdraw your offer tomorrow. Then they can't use you over the weekend to try and push the price up. Keep looking, you never know, something better may come up. Or they won't get any offers, so then will hopefully be more amenable to accept your offer and stop messing you around, but I wouldn't leave it on the table over the weekend. I'm a great believer in fate, so if this one is meant to be, it will work out one way or another, on the other hand there may be a better house coming on the market tomorrow or Saturday, ready for the Bank Holiday weekend. Don't let people mess you around, if they're like this when you've offered asking price, they will be a pain while the legal side is going through.

Original poster
offerquery · 23/05/2024 20:09

@Toxicinlawz

Yes I did wonder this. It's been on the market though for two months and not a single offer has been made.

In my mind, I was thinking once someone offers the full asking price, the job is done. Sold! That's the end of it. I didn't expect them to take a week to think about it!

OP posts:
Toxicinlawz · 23/05/2024 20:06

offerquery · 23/05/2024 19:02

I've seen house to buy. It's been on the market for around two months or so. It's already been reduced in price online.

When it was reduced, I made an offer slightly under the asking price. After a couple of days they said they want full asking price.
So I immediately offered the full asking price.

Anyway, I haven't heard anything so I've just called the estate agents and they said the family want to think about it. So they will get back to me on Tuesday.

I was really confused about this because I've offered the full asking price so I'm not sure what there is to think about?

She said they feel somebody else might be interested in the property. I asked a couple of questions about this… It turns out the person who is "interested " hasn't sold their house and hasn't said they want to make an offer. They've simply said they like the house. But have not indicated at all that they are looking to make an offer.

I have a feeling I know who this is because when I was viewing the house for the second time, a woman was there and I heard her say that she likes the house and that was it. So I'm not sure if that's the person

I just don't understand. I'm not sure if they're trying to get more than the asking price from me. Or if they're just waiting to see if they get any other offers over the next few days?

Op this is how it goes now. You've offered asking price and now they are hoping to see how much more they can get. Its disgusting really. Don't listen to the story about 'someone else'. There is no one else, you either put in an offer or you don't. You've put in asking price so there's nothing to think about is there? Sellers are often encouraged by stupid agents as well. If I were you I'd consider their behaviour as a red flag. Will they pull out further alone the line if they think they can get more... 🤔

LoobyDop · 23/05/2024 19:59

The one thing you can guarantee when buying and selling property is that the people you’re dealing with will dick you around. It’s infuriating, and if you really want the house, or you really want to sell, there’s very little you can do.

Also don’t forget that the estate agent is working for the vendor. Their sole objective is to get as much money as they can. Don’t expect them to be honest with you or act in your best interest if you’re the buyer- that isn’t what they’re paid for.

Jc2001 · 23/05/2024 19:59

MissConductUS · 23/05/2024 19:09

Tell them that your offer is only good for a week. Otherwise, they'll keep you hanging forever, hoping for a better one.

I was going to suggest this. Time limit your offer and keep looking. If they indicated they'll take the asking price and then backtrack it shows me they're not serious or would potentially gazump you if they got a better offer after they accepted.

Cityandmakeup · 23/05/2024 19:58

I thought Gazumping was illegal?

TomeTome · 23/05/2024 19:57

Excellent. Decide what you will do if they refuse. Write it down and do that. You need to disengage from the process and just follow your own plan.

Original poster
offerquery · 23/05/2024 19:52

@TomeTome
I did actually call the estate agent and said I'm viewing three properties tomorrow and she just replied saying "yes it's best to just to be on the safe side".

OP posts:
Original poster
offerquery · 23/05/2024 19:51

@meganorks
Because the person hasn't said they want to make an offer and they haven't sold their house. I asked if the person had expressed an interest in making an offer and these days agent said they haven't. They've simply said they like the house but that was it.

OP posts:
meganorks · 23/05/2024 19:49

If they know someone else is interested, why wouldn't they wait and see?

TomeTome · 23/05/2024 19:47

Phone back and say you are viewing some other properties at the weekend so you will agree to wait till 3pm Tuesday then they can accept and obviously stop showing the house, or you will withdraw your offer so you are free to offer on the alternatives you are viewing this weekend before close of business.

be prepared to walk away.

HelloMyNameIsElderSmurf · 23/05/2024 19:45

You do have the power because, even though you love it, you can still walk away from it.

@LlynTegid I don't think the Scottish system is much better to be honest. In Scotland OP would still be waiting on a closing date and then would have to put in a sealed bid for a random percentage over the asking price based on whatever happened in the street a year last Tuesday. The English system is more transparent, I think.

BobbyBiscuits · 23/05/2024 19:42

If asking price has been offered, it means in their eyes there's potential to get more. They won't take the first offer of asking price and want to see how high they can sell it for. Basically seeing who's up for it then creating a kind of auction to the highest bidder among those who offered.
It's not very nice but is standard practice I think.

LlynTegid · 23/05/2024 19:41

Most of this nonsense would not happen if we had the Scottish system adopted in England and Wales.

Original poster
offerquery · 23/05/2024 19:39

@HelloMyNameIsElderSmurf

I don't feel like I have all the power at all. They don't seem bothered in the slightest. If they were, surely they would've accepted it and wouldn't leave me hanging all this time. It genuinely feels like they're not bothered in the slightest if they lose this offer. I did think about saying they have until the end of Friday. But then thought, would I be cutting my nose off to spite my face.

OP posts:
Original poster
offerquery · 23/05/2024 19:36

@KarmenPQZ
Yes I do think they are doing this. I was booked in for tomorrow for a second viewing but I managed to get it earlier in the week. But the estate agent told me they are doing viewings tomorrow at that house

I do think I'm definitely being used as leverage. I do want the house. But it's frustrating me that I'm having to wait all of this time. And they still might say no. I've made it clear that I will not go a penny over the asking price.

The estate agent said they will get back to me on Tuesday. I made my first offer at the beginning of this week. And then I offered full asking price yesterday.

OP posts:
HelloMyNameIsElderSmurf · 23/05/2024 19:33

You're being used as leverage, as pps have said.

Phone the EA back in the morning and say your offer is only good until 5pm on Tuesday, at which point you will withdraw it. You do actually have all the power here.