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Original poster

Is this normal when making an offer on House?

265 replies

offerquery · 23/05/2024 19:02

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?

OP posts:
TomeTome · 23/05/2024 19:57

Excellent. Decide what you will do if they refuse. Write it down and do that. You need to disengage from the process and just follow your own plan.

Cityandmakeup · 23/05/2024 19:58

I thought Gazumping was illegal?

Jc2001 · 23/05/2024 19:59

MissConductUS · 23/05/2024 19:09

Tell them that your offer is only good for a week. Otherwise, they'll keep you hanging forever, hoping for a better one.

I was going to suggest this. Time limit your offer and keep looking. If they indicated they'll take the asking price and then backtrack it shows me they're not serious or would potentially gazump you if they got a better offer after they accepted.

LoobyDop · 23/05/2024 19:59

The one thing you can guarantee when buying and selling property is that the people you’re dealing with will dick you around. It’s infuriating, and if you really want the house, or you really want to sell, there’s very little you can do.

Also don’t forget that the estate agent is working for the vendor. Their sole objective is to get as much money as they can. Don’t expect them to be honest with you or act in your best interest if you’re the buyer- that isn’t what they’re paid for.

Toxicinlawz · 23/05/2024 20:06

offerquery · 23/05/2024 19:02

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?

Op this is how it goes now. You've offered asking price and now they are hoping to see how much more they can get. Its disgusting really. Don't listen to the story about 'someone else'. There is no one else, you either put in an offer or you don't. You've put in asking price so there's nothing to think about is there? Sellers are often encouraged by stupid agents as well. If I were you I'd consider their behaviour as a red flag. Will they pull out further alone the line if they think they can get more... 🤔

Original poster
offerquery · 23/05/2024 20:09

@Toxicinlawz

Yes I did wonder this. It's been on the market though for two months and not a single offer has been made.

In my mind, I was thinking once someone offers the full asking price, the job is done. Sold! That's the end of it. I didn't expect them to take a week to think about it!

OP posts:
FredsRoses · 23/05/2024 20:10

I'm an ex estate agent, and in your shoes I would withdraw your offer tomorrow. Then they can't use you over the weekend to try and push the price up. Keep looking, you never know, something better may come up. Or they won't get any offers, so then will hopefully be more amenable to accept your offer and stop messing you around, but I wouldn't leave it on the table over the weekend. I'm a great believer in fate, so if this one is meant to be, it will work out one way or another, on the other hand there may be a better house coming on the market tomorrow or Saturday, ready for the Bank Holiday weekend. Don't let people mess you around, if they're like this when you've offered asking price, they will be a pain while the legal side is going through.

Toxicinlawz · 23/05/2024 20:14

offerquery · 23/05/2024 20:09

@Toxicinlawz

Yes I did wonder this. It's been on the market though for two months and not a single offer has been made.

In my mind, I was thinking once someone offers the full asking price, the job is done. Sold! That's the end of it. I didn't expect them to take a week to think about it!

That's exactly how it should be and they should be grateful for a buyer like you that has come along and has offered asking price and your just trying to get on with it. Good luck . I hope it all goes well what ever you decide to do.

Jc2001 · 23/05/2024 20:18

They'll be coming back in a months time with their tail between their legs asking if you're still interested 😂. If you're still looking offer them £5k less

Original poster
offerquery · 23/05/2024 20:23

@FredsRoses

Really? I'd feel gutted to lose it in a way. The estate agent didn't seem bothered in the slightest when I said I was viewing other properties tomorrow.
Also, even if I pull out, couldn't they say that to the viewers tomorrow anyway?

I really believe in fate myself. I truly felt like this house was meant to be mine. The fact it has had so many views and no one has made an offer.
It has been sat empty for a year apparently.

Their family member who passed away 12 months ago lived there. She hadn't lived there long.

The neighbour said they have been through probate and everything already. And the neighbour also said they are very keen to sell.
There have been countless people viewing it every single week for the last 2 - 3 months but I'm the only one who's made an offer.

OP posts:
DappledThings · 23/05/2024 20:24

This is all very normal. Frustrating for sure, but normal.

Original poster
offerquery · 23/05/2024 20:24

@FredsRoses

And if I did pull the offer, are they able to come back to me at a later date to ask if I'm still interested? So if I pulled it tomorrow, could they come back to me on Tuesday to ask if I'm interested? Or once you've pulled it, that's it?

OP posts:
Theteapotsbrokenspout · 23/05/2024 20:26

I had this and I did exactly what @FredsRoses said. The estate agent appeared very taken aback when I explained I had offered full asking price and did not expect to be left waiting over a bank holiday weekend whilst my offer was used as a bargaining tool.
I found another, better, house.

DappledThings · 23/05/2024 20:27

offerquery · 23/05/2024 20:24

@FredsRoses

And if I did pull the offer, are they able to come back to me at a later date to ask if I'm still interested? So if I pulled it tomorrow, could they come back to me on Tuesday to ask if I'm interested? Or once you've pulled it, that's it?

Yes they can do that. In England making or accepting or withdrawing an offer can all be done multiple times. It doesn't lock anything down.

Mrsttcno1 · 23/05/2024 20:29

A few of my friends have moved house in the last few months and this has been the case for all of them. Especially if they have other viewings lined up for tomorrow, why wouldn’t they wait to see if they get a better offer from one of those?

It is frustrating for you OP but from their point of view, why wouldn’t they? They already know you want the house and they already have an offer of asking price, if they have viewings lined up for tomorrow then it makes sense for them to see if they can get a better offer from one of those.

Original poster
offerquery · 23/05/2024 20:32

@Theteapotsbrokenspout
So they didn't come back to you to accept it?
My worry is me doing that and them just saying 'okay' and leaving it at that and then I lose the house

OP posts:
NextPhaseOfLife · 23/05/2024 20:35

offerquery · 23/05/2024 20:32

@Theteapotsbrokenspout
So they didn't come back to you to accept it?
My worry is me doing that and them just saying 'okay' and leaving it at that and then I lose the house

They might do just that, OP.

If it's for sale via an Estate, so say maybe 2 or 3 siblings are the beneficiaries, each of them have to ponder, discuss, argue, debate.

It can cause lots of delays and obstacles.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 23/05/2024 20:37

@offerquery. We missed out on a house as the estate agent didn’t even bother letting us know our offer was too low, allowing us to increase our offer. First we knew it was sold was when it was marked sstc on right move less than three days after our initial offer. The sale subsequently did fall through.
We’ve found a much nicer house for the money, so it did work out for us in the end.

NextPhaseOfLife · 23/05/2024 20:38

OP - the fact that it's an estate sale does put a different spin on it.

To the beneficiaries, it's a transaction. Things may well take longer, and they may well want to show it for longer before accepting your offer.

SwingVote · 23/05/2024 20:41

We always make offers subject to being immediately removed from market. And leave it at that. If it’s not accepted and removed with reasonable time - say 24 - 48 hours; or counter offered - then we move on.

TruthorDie · 23/05/2024 20:43

You are on the back burner, they are waiting to see if something better comes along. I would continue viewing places. I would also draw a line in the sand, seller did something similar to me a few years ago and they never got back to me in the end. They ended up selling below my offer which was full asking price 🤣

What is the market like where you are? Is a buyers market or a sellers market

CheeseSalads · 23/05/2024 20:43

It is frustrating but they have other viewings this weekend and are within their rights to see how they go and if anyone offers who is in a better position than you. For all you know, it is the estate agent being slow at getting back to you. Withdrawing your offer for a house you love just seems like a tantrum and just means you potentially miss out. I would wait until Monday and then say you would like a reply within 24 hours and take it from there.

Theteapotsbrokenspout · 23/05/2024 20:43

offerquery · 23/05/2024 20:32

@Theteapotsbrokenspout
So they didn't come back to you to accept it?
My worry is me doing that and them just saying 'okay' and leaving it at that and then I lose the house

No, they didn’t, but I’d made it quite clear I wasn’t interested in being treated like that.
I found the house that I actually bought that weekend anyway.

I'd already had one experience with another house with the same estate agent trying to get me to enter into a bidding war. I had upped my offer a couple of times before I realised what they were doing. I told them I wasn’t getting into a bidding war and they still came back to me several more times telling me the other party had upped his offer - I got the impression the poor buyer ended up bidding against themselves. I think that particular estate agent was pretty unscrupulous.

I also believe if it’s meant to be then it will be.

Original poster
offerquery · 23/05/2024 20:46

@TruthorDie
Houses seem to go very quickly near me. But this house is a few miles from where I currently live. And that particular House has been on the market for about three months. It's had loads of views. But mine is the only offer so far.

OP posts:
TruthorDie · 23/05/2024 20:46

LoobyDop · 23/05/2024 19:59

The one thing you can guarantee when buying and selling property is that the people you’re dealing with will dick you around. It’s infuriating, and if you really want the house, or you really want to sell, there’s very little you can do.

Also don’t forget that the estate agent is working for the vendor. Their sole objective is to get as much money as they can. Don’t expect them to be honest with you or act in your best interest if you’re the buyer- that isn’t what they’re paid for.

All this. There is definitely something about buying and selling property that does something to people. It’s a sight to behold. There are some decent people out there -with our last purchase and sale both parties were very decent