Seller accepted a lower offer from a buyer who hasn't sold their house rather than us FTB, what to do

[jaaadejade]

Tldr seller chose an offer which is lower than what we offered from a couple who haven't even put their house up for sale rather than our offer for £2000 more, we have no chain and offered first. What to do next?

We put in 2 offers on a house which is on the market for £155000 (but needs a lot of work hence my low first offer) which were rejected (first on the Monday at £136500 and the next on thursday for £142500), and I said I'd be back in touch shortly with another offer, the seller then recieved another offer for £4000 more a few days later from buyers who were non proceedable (had to sell their own house first) and without coming back to us to see if we'd up our offer the sellers accepted that offer and chose to take the house off the market for 6-8 weeks to see if the other couple can sell their house.

The next day we offered £6000 more than our latest offer (£148500) however this was rejected as even though we're first time buyers and have no chain she felt bad the other couple had specifically put their house on the market to buy this house so supposedly felt like she couldn't accept their offer. The seller is a widowed old lady (86) and bought this house with her husband 18 years ago however she already has a house bought with cash (so no chain) at the opposite end of the country which she wants to move to.

How do we avoid just continuously upping our offer until she can't say no or do you have any other tips to persuade her (we already emailed the estate agents a letter about us and why we'd like the house to give to her) ? We can't really wait 6-8 weeks. Someone suggested lowering our offer to match the offer she already accepted but adding that upon completion offering to pay a portion (£500) to the other couple to compensate for lost estate agents fees?

Everything I've read says not to look at houses without a mortgage in principle (which we have) or being in a position to proceed, so are we missing something? Why would a seller choose their offer for less when they aren't even able to sell any time soon? I feel like if the other couple didn't want to sell they wouldn't be looking at houses. Estate agents have been less than helpful.

Agree that the living abroad thing might have put the vendor off - if she's an older lady she may want a swift and uncomplicated sale, and perhaps is worried she will have trouble contacting you if needed when you're in the other country. It might just be as simple as that unfortunately. I think you should leave it and just register your interest again with the agent, in case this other sale doesn't go through, then they can come back to you.

I've completed two sales when living overseas it's not an issue. It will take a couple of days to send paperwork back for completion otherwise it's just the same as if you are buying at home.

Was the seller at the viewings? Because maybe it's a rapport thing... my experience of elderly sellers is that that they're more invested in who's buying the property.

We had an (asking price) offer accepted on a place and later heard from our neighbours that someone had then offered higher. Fortunately for us the old lady obviously had principles and for people who are downsizing etc, and have probably already mads a massive profit on their property, a few more grand isn't the be all and end to them (nice position to be in)