Estate agent...

5 replies

CPHB2021 · 04/12/2023 15:42

I'm not sure if I ABU so would value others opinions, we've only every bought a new build so the buying/offering process is not the same.

DH and I viewed a house a few weeks ago and liked it but it needs work and it's on a main road ( set back a bit )

We offered just over 10% under asking. This was declined.

We decided we still liked it and we're willing to increase slightly, I contacted agent to ask if there was a counter offer or an idea of where the seller might accept.

He simply stated that he didn't know and provided the asking price again....

House has been on since September, AIBU to think that surely there must be a counter offer?!

OP posts:

Meceme · 04/12/2023 15:48

But the seller doesn't need to counter offer. They've decided that they don't want to accept your offer, its up to you if you want to raise your offer or not.
They may have decided not to take less than the current sale price, they may not need to move quickly, they may feel the price is fair.
You can only decide what the property is worth to you and what you are prepared to pay for it and offer that.

WhereYouLeftIt · 04/12/2023 15:51

The estate agent works for the seller and follows the seller's instructions. If the seller has instructed the agent that they will not accept less than the asking price, then that's it.

No, there doesn't have to be a counter offer.

ClaudiaWankleman · 04/12/2023 15:51

Maybe the seller has a hard floor which they've put it on at. Maybe they aren't motivated and will wait for the right buyer. Maybe they have an overinflated price in their head. Maybe you don't have a good idea of what the property is worth in the current market. Etc, etc.

There doesn't have to be a counter offer and it's not that strange for a property to be on the market since September at the moment.

Original poster

CPHB2021 · 04/12/2023 15:54

Thank you! I was always under the impression that they would come back, even if it was was with asking price. I do feel confident in the local area and pricing, things are selling pretty quickly still where we are. We will have a think and maybe present our best and final offer ( which will be under asking ) and see what happens!

OP posts:

UsingChangeofName · 04/12/2023 16:25

I agree with everyone else.
September is hardly a long time for a house to be fore sale.
There is no obligation or even expectation for the vendors to come back with a counter offer.
They have obviously marketed it one price...... you offered quite a lot less and they have said they won't take that. Up to you if you then want to offer more, and how much more, or if you want to walk away.

Flip