Is this normal when making an offer on House?

OP if the agent hasn't been able to contact the Vendors for a decision today, then there is clearly a problem, as they've had a long weekend, and more, to make up their minds to accept your full asking price offer, which you say was their counter when you offered below asking. Time to withdraw and look elsewhere I feel. Bear in mind that if you do withdraw, it doesn't mean you can't buy this house, it just means that you're in a position to review your offer if they come back to you. For example, if they come back in a week's time, and say they'll accept your full asking price offer, you can then say, 'sorry, but I've been looking at other properties as they didn't come back to me, and now don't feel that it's really worth full asking price, however, I will offer ............... (possibly your original offer). However, as others have now pointed out, there is a good chance that every single decision will take much longer than in an average house sale, due to the number of people involved, so this could end up being a very long, drawn out process, if it doesn't all fall apart because someone decides they're not happy with something.

When we sold my MIL's house after being granted probate, we suggested that as we were using a solicitor close to where we lived, that my DH handle all of the legal side of things, as we had done all of the work to clean the property up, re-decorate, and get it ready to sell, plus instructed agents, etc. There was only my DH and his brother involved, but his brother, who lived a long distance away, and was obviously of the opinion that my DH was going to pull a fast one in some way, insisted that he wanted to be involved in all of the legal side of things, which caused a lot of problems and delays, because he worked shifts, so wasn't always available when the solicitors wanted to see them. Thankfully you don't have to be so personally involved these days, due to emails, etc., but the more people involved in the sale, the more chances there are of things going wrong. Therefore if you want a quick purchase, I would highly recommend that you continue to keep looking.

Have you seen anything else over the weekend? Is there a shortage of houses like the one you want?

Except that the timeline was: OP offered, they counter-offered, she agreed. I don't get how it takes them over a week to accept what they suggested.

Never fall in love with a house that isn’t yet yours OP! I would ring again and make it clear that you need an answer by end of tomorrow otherwise you will withdraw the offer. And it might work out better that you do- if they’re messing you around at this point, it will only get worse!

@Sunnyandsilly they are going to be like this throughout the whole process - always deferring or wanting to confer with others. Doesn’t really matter as to wether it is probate or a care home sale, the fact is this behaviour will stall everything along the way. It’s most likely to be money driven as well - so they are highly likely to be arguing over that now and if the op gets as far as a survey and that brings up issues - they will be arguing amongst themselves again, if the survey leads to a reduction in the offering. Buying is stressful as it is, no need to add the stress of sellers being unable to agree on things promptly into the mix. (Speaking from personal experience having been on both sides thanks to a meddling sister in law and resulted in having to put passwords into place when dealing with estate agents and solicitors! ).

There's a discussion on page 2 about it being a probate sale after the owner passed and different opinions about how that might mean some one would want a slow or a quick sale and how it can slow the process down with the need for multiple people's input.

Not necessarily. It appears a key bit of info may have been missing.

Hang on op, what do you mean several family members? Is it a probate sale or a family member in care ? If so this is a key fact not a drip feed. They always always take longer to decide as multiple people involved.

if it is probate or family member in care, then my advice changes.

this is estate agents after more commission, if a property is reduced and you make a offer that is accepted get it took off the market, but don't go up in price, many agents do this like a unauthorised auction trying to get you to beat the last offer (don't fall in) I gave gave back what I was given, I went up in price as the agents came saying they had a higher offer until my offer was accepted, I then ealised it was over priced , it came off the market after bank details were exchanged, I pulled out of the purchase, the property later was sold over £20,000 less don't be afraid to play agents own game causing inflated prices that do not exist

Time to start looking at other property.

If the vendors are being difficult to get hold of now, just imagine what they will be like through the buying process. A potential red flag imo, especially if the estate agent admitted it.

Agreed. Call them and state you need an answer by close of business today or tomorrow or you will be withdrawing

Agree with @Sunnyandsilly this is a business transaction. Op you need to be a bit more forceful/ruthless in a way. Don’t stand around waiting to be messed with - which estate agents will happily do. Ring them and get an answer one way or another today. Then either proceed or walk away.
From a sellers/estate agents, pov I think you are coming across as either easy to push into a higher offer or a flakey non serious buyer.

Op, don’t be so passive, tell them you want an answer by cob and if off the market.

When we put in our full asking price offer, after being the first people to view our house when it had just been put on the market, we said that any further viewings booked had to be cancelled and it had to be removed from the market. They accepted our offer thank god, but we were in a good position with our MIP in place, a substantial deposit and first time buyer and we were also ok about them taking their time about moving out as we were in rented.

Just seen the update about your mum phoning the EA. In that case, don’t call them, just sit tight.

No, they can come back to you again. I would phone the EA, say it is a shame because you are ready to go without a chain because you have sold ( if it is probate they really won’t want to be in a chain) but you are withdrawing your offer because you are hoping to offer on another property tomorrow and don’t want them to have false hopes. Then sit tight.

I think that’s good advice, @CantFindTheBeat.

OP, in the nicest possible way - you need to calm down. You're getting lots of people on this post egging you on to do yourself a disservice.

I was an estate agent many many many moons ago - I'm sure it's changed but this is still my take on it:

1: This house is a probate/estate sale. THIS IS RELEVANT.

Whatever the desires of the beneficiaries, if there is more than one (eg, adult children of the original owner), they may well have to confer with each other and no doubt, partners will have opinions, etc. so there may absolutely be a period of silence to you whilst that happens, whatever the Estate Agent may wish.

2: This is also relevant, because they will want even more a good buyer who can proceed - which you sound like you can. A higher offer of say £5k, when split 2/3/4 ways, isn't as attractive and worth holding out for in real terms.

3: The Estate Agent will likely be on your side. It's a pain for them too - especially as they probably on get paid on completion. People think they hold out for a higher commission, but in reality, for average priced houses, it's only a few hundred quid different at most, and a bird in the hand for them, etc.

4: Having your offer accepted is only the START of the process. Conveyancing is long and drawn out. You have to start teaching yourself to calm down and becoming more measured.

You've put in your offer. It's a good one. You're able to proceed. The house IS up for sale. The beneficiaries aren't likely be messing, nor change their minds about selling.

Take that into the Bank Holiday weekend and do not risk your position by threatening to pull out our reduce your offer. You'll only jeopardise your own position.

Yeah, I wouldn't be playing games on this. If you try to get the price down now, it'll be more difficult to negotiate after your survey, when there might be a good reason to ask for reductions.

Also, saying you 'now can't afford it' makes you look silly, disorganised and likely to be a pain.