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

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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?

I think that’s high for a first offer

Don’t be silly of course it’s not,🤣

Fair enough. I don't live in an area where houses shift particularly quickly or for their asking price generally. It's perfect to us because of its location though it might not be to everyone else's cup of tea because of how isolated it is and the work that needs doing to it but we have quite niche tastes. It was also priced at OIRO which I understand to mean open to negotiation as opposed to OIEO. Also it is in worse condition than advertised.
But fine, of I've offered too low so be it. Guess I'll just have to wait and see what they say.

Because you do not know what their motivation to move is.
It might be that their favourite ever house has come on the market so they have bunged theirs on quickly. Will only accept an offer if they can get that house.

I don’t think you’ve offered too low. You said you offered high which it is not. That’s all.

I’m sure you can understand it’s just come on the market, not even had a weekend yet, so they may want to wait to see what happens with any more viewings booked in.

Overnight to think about it is normal. Even waiting a few days is not unusual. Play it cool. They may wait and see how this weekend's viewings go, I know I would.

"5k would piss me off as a seller more than 10k would. 5k feels like games for the sake of games."

"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."
Have I missed the Selling price? I don't know how anyone can comment on £5k under being a piss-take or it not being a bad offer when the OP hasn't said what the asking price is.

I don’t think that you’ve offered too low at all, just that it’s not high as that would imply asking price or over. It sounds about right for an opening offer. I would sit tight and hopefully you’ll get good news soon!

No one said you offered too low. What was said was you did not offer high and the offer was low in comparison to what they asked for. It was below what they wished for.

They may say yes, they may decide to stay on the market and see if they get a higher offer. No one here can guess,