Is this normal when making an offer on House?

[offerquery]

I've seen house to buy. It's been on the market for around two months or so. It's already been reduced in price online.

When it was reduced, I made an offer slightly under the asking price. After a couple of days they said they want full asking price.
So I immediately offered the full asking price.

Anyway, I haven't heard anything so I've just called the estate agents and they said the family want to think about it. So they will get back to me on Tuesday.

I was really confused about this because I've offered the full asking price so I'm not sure what there is to think about?

She said they feel somebody else might be interested in the property. I asked a couple of questions about this… It turns out the person who is "interested " hasn't sold their house and hasn't said they want to make an offer. They've simply said they like the house. But have not indicated at all that they are looking to make an offer.

I have a feeling I know who this is because when I was viewing the house for the second time, a woman was there and I heard her say that she likes the house and that was it. So I'm not sure if that's the person

I just don't understand. I'm not sure if they're trying to get more than the asking price from me. Or if they're just waiting to see if they get any other offers over the next few days?

Quite honestly OP, I wouldn't trust these people as far as you can throw them. I know you want the little house, and you may now be in possession of some information that you don't feel able to share, but unless it sounds extremely believable, I wouldn't take this one any further, as the likelihood of them messing you around further in the process is still high. Remember, estate agents will tell you what ever you want to hear, as they are NOT ON YOUR SIDE!! As I said to you way back in the post, I'm a great believer in fate, and the first house coming back on the market, and them asking if you would like to offer again, may well be a sign that that's the one for you. It may seem like a bit of stretch to start with, but give it a couple of years, and it will all feel perfectly acceptable. I'd also be inclined to try a lower offer at this point, as you're in such a good position. If they turn it down, then offer what you did previously, as it would seem they're likely to want to move quickly now, having already been let down once. If you do decide to make a lower offer, then you can mention that you also have your eye on another property which is cheaper, so you don't feel that you really want to go as high as you did previously, but if they're prepared to accept whatever your offer is, you can move extremely quickly, etc. don't go into any further detail about the other property, even if the agent asks, unless of course it's for sale with the same agent, in which case they'll already know the score.

I think that sounds reassuring that they aren’t just messing you about if there is a reason behind all the waiting. I hope you get the house as it sounds like it’s the one you want. Good luck x

The situation and their circumstances have been quite tragic to be honest and it makes sense why they haven't responded or replied. I really feel sad for them so I feel ok waiting a little longer.
What happened to "And I do want a quick sale. I need to be in a property ASAP" and "I don't have months as I need somewhere quickly. I literally have weeks so if they were going to come back to me it would really need to be over the next couple of days"?

Well I hope you get the house as you clearly want it - but honesty make sure you have a plan for long delays in process - they couldn't even accept an offer in a reasonable timeframe I'd be prepare for endless delays - our delay of a week went on for 3 months in the end for no obvious reason - us camped with family paying for storage wasn't our solicitor or the estate agent - and we were a week or two away from having to walk away due to our own big immovable deadline looming.

honesty make sure you have a plan for long delays in process
It might make sense to resign yourself to the idea that you have to sign up for a 6 month rental while this goes through. It will cost you, but not as much as the difference between this house and the other one (£70,000).

My completion date on my house has been extended by 4 weeks which has given me a little more time.

It wasn't the estate agents who told me what happened. It was a neighbour near the house. They saw me there and came out to see if I was interested in the house. I explained I've already made an offer and waiting to hear back and then they told me everything.

I think you are getting too emotionally invested too early.

You were "heartbroken" when you didn't get the first house but now prefer the other one where the owners are seriously messing you about. Are you prepared for long delays and them perhaps pulling out at a later date because tbh the whole thing gives me very bad vibes and I've bought and sold many houses in my time. I wouldn't proceed on this one.

Keep looking - it's a buyers market at the moment.

Still haven't heard anything. Estate agent said they've been texting and phoning them.
I have made an offer on the other property which I sent through tonight.

Although that house is gorgeous, I would prefer the smaller one because of the location, but who knows when they will eventually get back to me to either accept or reject my offer. Financially, the smaller one would be so much better for me. I think I have submitted my offer to the other house in panic.

Well you need a roof over your head. Whatever the reason for the delay, the sellers just aren't ready to let go.

Don’t worry. You can withdraw your offer if you change your mind and feel you did indeed make the offer in a panic and now regret it.

I Emailed the estate agent this morning to say that I have made an offer on the other property.

They have now replied to me saying they have finally had a response from the seller. They want an extra £3000. I have told them I have offered them full asking price and they have waited 17 days to now ask for another £3000.

Everybody else who made offers on this property at the same time as me have withdrawn their offers so mine is the only one there

They have said it is for their solicitors and estate agent fees. I also have the same fees including a survey etc.

I have Said if they wanted higher amount, they should have put that on the advert. Because I have actually offered them the full asking price.

Yeah they are being cheeky. Stand your ground or else they will be increasing the price as you go along. They also didn’t realise they will lose you as you’ve now said you’ve put an offer on another house so maybe that may change their mind.

They sound nuts @offerquery and like they would be the sellers from Hell - totally detached from reality. It’s not for you to pay extra to cover their fees!

@Twiglets1

I've asked them, why it has taken them 17 days. And it is due to their personal circumstances and an anniversary of a death.

They said it is on at 'offers over'. I put the full asking price. Which is less than what it was bought for a couple of years ago by another family member of theirs.

So is it normal then When it says 'offers over' that you would automatically offer more than the number stated online?

They’re CF. They know you want the house so think they can push their luck and get more money out of you.

If any issues come up during the survey, I doubt they’ll consider any reduction.

@offerquery offers over indicates that a sellers hopes to achieve at least the stated price.

In a buoyant market people will often offer over that amount as they anticipate a lot of interest in the property.

In the stagnant market we have now, people will be more likely to offer the exact amount, or slightly less. I think you did the right thing in offering the “offers from” amount. They should have accepted it as it was the best proceedable offer they got.

I expect their EA will be privately advising them to accept your offer though they won’t admit that to you.

Nothing about this is normal - I agree with MasterOfCake they'd not drop for anything found on survey and as I said previously likely delay on slightest thing and likely want to leave everything rather than clear house and try and charge you for the privilege.

If they wanted a higher offer I think they could have got back to you quickly and indicated that - that what our seller at our current house did though we were under their selling price - and the house hadn't been on very long at that point - so we were fine to up the offer.

If you don't like the other house you have offered on they do a lot of looking very quickly as the extra time you now have will soon go - our first house buy took 9 weeks seller was going into rented and we were first time buyers - no chain at all.

You have a seller waiting 17 days to reject an offer they are in no rush to sell - and their reasons shouldn't matter to you.

I agree with everyone else. If this is their behaviour now, can you imagine how they will behave through the conveyancing procedure? They obviously aren't in a rush to sell either so have no incentive to be 'good' vendors. For your own sanity, I'd walk away.

@mumgodloveher
This might sound naive, but what is it that usually happens during the conveyancing process? When I bought my last house, it was my ex who dealt with everything so I don't actually know what the process was like.

Surveyor will indicate any issues, you can arrange for a builder or whatever to get a quote for the likely cost of repairs - you then negotiate price

The may say ‘new boiler’ needed working the next 12 months to roof needs urgert attention - or damp in the cellar

@Scarletttulips
Okay, thank you. I'm just googling it now. They have been really difficult so far. I will see what they come back with today. Or I might be waiting another 17 days, but I have told them I'm only willing to wait until Monday.

Yes, English aren’t used to O/O as much as Scotland.
O/O is a staring point. Eg. When I have sold in Scotland I have had O/O of 20% for my last house = >£60k and for a one bedroom flat I once got 60% over offer > 80k.
what determines the offer is how many people are also bidding and what the market value for the area currently is.
the EA should guide you. But to me, yes O/O is always a %age over. Not asking value.
I now live in England so I’ve dealt with both systems. English is terrible.
If this hadn’t been an O/O I would have suggested legal proceeding against them since you would have offered asking value and they have incurred you wasted costs and time and emotional distress etc. but since you haven’t offered as they have asked then you can’t do that.

https://www.ommlaw.co.uk/conveyancing/conveyancing-process-for-buying-or-selling/

Goes through the steps in English/Welsh system - no idea why it tales so long one of our estate agents said it used to be quicker but seems to have lengthen over his career even without long chains.

@Calamitousness
They had it down as offers over… But when I initially spoke to the agent, they gave me the bang on amount they wanted so I agreed that straight away. And now 17 days later, they've said they want £3000 more. But they did put in the email the exact amount which I then offered. And now they've increased it to £3000 more than what they asked me for over email.