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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think these house buyers are time wasters?

82 replies

Coolbeansjeans28 · 20/04/2026 09:10

Trying to keep this as clear as I can but it all seems a bit odd to me.

Context house on market for around a month, requires some work but this has been reflected in the price. Not looking to discuss this aspect.

Onto the real question. Had a viewing, was fairly brief and they have also got an offer in on another property but could pull out as they like our house, its location etc. In the end said house lovely but too large. Thanks but no thanks.

Later that day recieved an offer 100k under asking price due to work needed done etc. This offer was just declined as it is ridiculously below what we know the house is worth. This was later adjusted to 50k below stating they had made a mistake with the first offer (online EA). We countered with 25k below asking price as this is a low as we would like to go given the value of house and waht we need for onward purchase. They offered to meet in the middle of their offer and ours but we declined and they have said they need to consider if its affordable to them. We are happy to go a bit under with a stale market, lack of interest and just wanted to get the house sold!

But, the whole situation feels a bit off to me. The initial comment of it being too large so not for them, the purchase of another property which will be available sooner than ours (as they are currently in rented accommodation) and the messing about with wildly varied offers. My gut says avoid, but also if they come back woth an acceptable offer who am I to say no based on my own assumptions and imagining?

YABU - proceed with sale if offered.
YANBU - dont touch with a barge pole.

OP posts:
Tortephant · 20/04/2026 09:29

Get a proper agent that actually speaks to people, gets them, discusses requirements and concerns.

change agent and don’t simply add a human to your current package.

Upearlyaseva · 20/04/2026 09:28

Just use a local well regarded EA. None of this online stuff

hididdlyho · 20/04/2026 09:27

If you've not got any other offers on the table an they offer you a price you're happy with I'd probably go with it. You get a lot of timewasters when selling a house and it's not uncommon for people to pull out last minute, even if they initially seem keen.

If they're in rented, in theory they should be keen to complete by a certain date, as they'll need to give notice. I'd see how quickly they get moving on surveys, mortgage application. If they dither, you can always put the house back on the market.

Coolbeansjeans28 · 20/04/2026 09:26

We have had such a bad experience with the EA so far. Much regretting it now and considering moving...

There us an option to have the EA negotiat for us so I think i will switch to that. And I think i would need to see some commitment from them some way to take it off the market.

They told us themselves about the other house. My first thought was ugh, what a waste of time!

I also feel at the first sign of any issues with a survey etc that will likely point out the known points of work needed on the house they would start trying to negotiate again.

OP posts:
CanaryLibra · 20/04/2026 09:25

Nah, give them a swerve.

We’ve dealt with buyers like this before. They’ve got an offer on another property so if they’ll drop out on that, they’ll happily drop out on you too if they see something else they prefer. And these are the type of people that will reduce their offer on the day before exchange.

Agree with PP, until they’ve started spending money on the purchase process (survey, searches) keep marketing your house.

Swiftie1878 · 20/04/2026 09:24

Everything sounds off. And if they’re ready to pull out of one deal, they’d likely pul l out of yours too unless you dropped the price further.
Avoid.

mondaytosunday · 20/04/2026 09:19

This is why I hate online agencies. Is there an actual person you can talk to? Or are both sides just putting figures in an online form? If there’s a person then get them to earn their commission. Sounds like their first offer was just testing your boundary. I imagine the house must be worth quite a lot if you are making £25k jumps/counter offer. I definitely think stick to your gums at this stage. If they come up to your figure say that they need to have booked a surveyor within a week or else it’s back in the market. Them having an offer on another property is concerning I agree (did the agent tell you this)?

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