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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think these people don't actually want to sell their house

33 replies

FrenchEnglish · 16/07/2020 20:16

Found the perfect house to buy, ticks all our boxes! It only came on the market on Monday and as we think it could be our forever home, we offered high straight away, only 5k under asking price and would be willing to go over if necessary. Estate agent said they've arranged to see the house they want to buy again tonight and then they'll let us know tomorrow.

Why on Earth would they do this? The only thing I can think is they decided to put their house up because of the stamp duty announcement but aren't actually sure they want to sell so are going to double check. They didn't ask for any negotiation, just that they'll let me know tomorrow. Surely if you want to sell your house what is there to think about beyond just discussing the price you want?

OP posts:

HemulenHouse · 16/07/2020 20:17

More likely they’re trying to establish how much your reduced offer affects their own purchase. It’s not out of the ordinary at all.

HathorX · 16/07/2020 20:21

If they have only just put it on the market they may be thinking that they have underpriced it, and want to have other viewings to see if they get a better offer. Or maybe they were hoping for someone in a different position to you (eg if you have a property to sell yourself - you might not - perhaps they hoped for a cash buyer).

Have you simply asked the agent why they weren't willing to accept or decline the offer more promptly? I agree the house they are buying really has nothing to do with it.

To be fair, it's quite a big decision and I can understand people wanting to take a little time to consider it. They haven't failed to reply altogether.

Sorry it has left you on tenter hooks.

Rainbowshine · 16/07/2020 20:26

Perhaps they’re working/busy/working out if your offer could be better. You can’t expect an immediate response to an offer below asking price.

PicsInRed · 16/07/2020 20:30

If you want a house just in the market taken right off the market, asking price or over is the only way to ensure it.

Otherwise, they'll want to see what else happens in the next couple of weeks.

Lazypuppy · 16/07/2020 20:32

You haven't 'offered high' if you're under the asking price

carltongirl · 16/07/2020 20:34

Other people may be interested. 5K under doesn't sound 'high' '. If you really want it you could call the agent and offer more.

SunbathingDragon · 16/07/2020 20:40

I would imagine they have more viewers lined up and want to see if they get a better/higher offer from them before responding to you. Otherwise perhaps they really need the full asking price for the place they want to buy and are viewing again to see if it’s worth struggling to get together the remaining £5k.

Offering high is offering over the asking price, not below it.

FTMF30 · 16/07/2020 20:41

YABU, a house purchase is a big deal. You may want to rush in but that doesn't mean that's the case for the sellers.
You seem to be thinking with your heart rather than your head. If it only went on the market on Monday, did you even take a thorough look at the place yourselves (like what they seem to be doing with their potential new home)?
Sometimes seemingly eager buyers who haven't come across as doing their due diligence can put people off. They could be wary of you being flaky.

MaxNormal · 16/07/2020 20:41

You offered low, I can see why they're taking your hand off.

Thehop · 16/07/2020 20:45

You offered under the asking price. They’ve only been on the market a few days. They’re not going to rush to accept.

MiddleClassProblem · 16/07/2020 20:47

As pp said it’s just come on and you’ve offered under asking price. Makes perfect sense why they haven’t bitten your hand off there...

ShyTown · 16/07/2020 20:48

Sounds like possibly they only want to move if they find the find the perfect house. We’ve been there and seller eventually accepted our offer only to pull out when they missed out on the one they wanted. Also under the asking price isn’t high.

lukasiak · 16/07/2020 20:53

If you want it that badly, I don't understand why you are playing them around offering 5k under the asking price, especially if you say you're willing to pay over it. 5k would piss me off as a seller more than 10k would. 5k feels like games for the sake of games.

Ducksurprise · 16/07/2020 21:08

Agree, you have offered low. We offered £15k over the moment our house came on the market. For others it would be overpriced but it was for many reasons our forever home and we couldn't bear to lose it.

MiddleClassProblem · 16/07/2020 21:10

I also would not trust you as a team mate on Play Your Cards Right

DinosApple · 16/07/2020 21:11

If it's just come on they will want to see what interest it is getting.

It's not a high offer, but tbf I don't think 5k under is that bad in the current climate. Especially if you're talking of an asking price of 500k plus. But the vendor may want to buy a little time.

Pebblexox · 16/07/2020 21:13

As pp have said, they've only just put the property on the market and the offer is under.
They won't be rushing to sell for that price, they have time to let it sit for a while and wait for other offers to come in. If you want the house you need to be prepared to contact the agent and offer a high more desirable price.

sparklefarts · 16/07/2020 21:14

How on earth do you think offering under the asking price is high?!?!?

RosieCockle · 16/07/2020 21:15

Ffs.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 16/07/2020 21:16

That's not offering high. The house has only been on the market since Monday, there hardly going to bite your hand off with an offer of 5k under.

Illdealwithitinaminute · 16/07/2020 21:21

There's nothing wrong with your offer, and there's nothing wrong with them getting back to you tomorrow.

RefuseTheLies · 16/07/2020 21:26

Kirsty and Phil have a lot to answer for. I have bought and sold several houses now and the offers / negotiation stage has never been anywhere near as quick as they make it out to be on tv.

FenellaVelour · 16/07/2020 21:41

I also would not trust you as a team mate on Play Your Cards Right

😂

Succinct way to put it. You have not offered high.

Atthebottomofthegarden · 16/07/2020 22:09

I think that’s high for a first offer, although they may be less inclined to accept if they only went on the market on Monday. Surely in this position it would be normal for them to counter offer a grand off for goodwill and agree somewhere between the two.

If the agent had other people interested they would have told you and tried to talk you up.

I expect it’s all happening a bit quicker than the vendor expected and they just want to be sure they are doing the right thing. Much better for you for them to delay now rather than to drop out further down the line.

Bluntness100 · 16/07/2020 22:14

If you’re under asking price you’ve not offered high, ive no idea why you think you have. Offering high would be at least asking Price if not more.

It’s not been on th market long they need to decide if they wish to accept your offer and can afford the five k drop.

You write like you think you’re entitled to it even though you low balled them

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