To make an offer or not?

[daphine2004]

Hello, we are FTB and have starting viewing properties. However we want to complete around the same time tenancy runs out in April. I have read loads on here and elsewhere about how long it can take to buy a house, but wasn’t sure if we are being a bit premature to make an offer on a place we have seen now or wait a month or so (if it’s still available). Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

Happy to complete in March* to enable this to happen.

I'd start looking now , you never know what's on the market. You could find a probate house and then April isn't that long if it's complicated. Just let people know your timescales .

I would be looking now and offer if you find the right place. The market is only going to get quieter in the run up to Christmas and might get worse as we get closer to brexit. It is taking 3-4 months for property sales/purchase to go through where i am and could take longer if a chain is involved. You need to be flexible on your completion date as it would be very lucky to tie in your purchase to exactly coincide with your end of tennancy - are you able to roll over to a months notice after april would help?

Hi, thanks for your replies. I’m not sure if we can roll. I checked the contract and it’s silent on that. There’s two houses which have come up on our estate, one is a repeat seller as it was up last year too, so don’t think they want offers as they bought in 2006 when prices were really high, but hoping that they start to be a bit more realistic in their expectations.

Just offer and make your position clear. Some sellers won't see you as proceedable, others might be happy to take your offer if they aren't in a rush. As long as you're upfront about it you'll be fine.