Any Estate Agents on here?

[JMarple]

Can I get your take on what might be happening behind the scenes on this situation?

Put our best and final offer in last Friday on a probate house that's been on the market for over a year. Offer is still quite far off guide price, but significantly higher than our first offer. We gave context to our offer in an offer letter, explaining factors that influenced offer level.

EA confirmed that offer had been sent to seller and seller's solicitor. Asked for update on Tues and was told that offer is being discussed with various family members.

Asked for update today as it's a week since offer was submitted. Was told that seller wants to meet new EA branch manager on Tues to get his advice.

Does this sound positive or negative? Although our offer is below guide price, we feel it's fair due to extent of work needed to be done - damp in several rooms, general state of disrepair, new kitchen, new bathroom req etc. Why would seller be asking advice from new manager?

TIA x

Because they feel it is too low, don't want to accept it but at the same time might not want to reject it if there's nothing else on the table.
There may be a load of complication behind the scenes if its probate - multiple siblings/debts to pay off/god knows what else.
I don't think its either positive or negative - they just need to discuss further before making a decision.
Also they may have issues with the estate agent - if you are so far below the price the estate agent recommended to market it at, they may be pissed off with the estate agent. If there's a new manager they might use it as a chance to renegotiate/terminate the contract/anything else

Thanks for quick reply. There's no other offers on table. Last offer was Feb before they reduced the price and previous offers have been in our ball park or lower. House hasn't got to survey stage yet and we think it's likely that survey will bring up more issues we haven't spotted.

One EA said that most people walk in then pretty quickly walk out as it frightens them inside.

You have to hang in there I think. It might seem a long wait, but trying to discuss when it's a probate sale can be complicated. I'd try to play it cool if I were you and then next week ring the agent and say your offer isn't open ended and you need to hear back as you have another property in mind.

Thanks for the advice 😊👍