Negotiating offer - stamp duty holiday

[Hattych]

We've made an offer based on what the estate agent suggested to us at the viewing. It's about 20k under, but has been on the market for 3 months and has some downsides that don't matter to us but I imagine they would for other buyers.

The EA is now saying it's the very bottom of what the buyer would expect. Would it be reasonable to say we can offer more but need to be in by June 31st?

Have they added a day to June then?!

Have they accepted the offer or not?

June 30th might be easier!

Argh, sorry! June 30th obviously

Our offer hasn't been accepted and I'm expecting the EA to come back and ask for a higher offer.

I wouldn't accept this as a seller because it's out of their control how long searches and solicitors etc. take. Anecdotally, offers being accepted now are probably not going to go to completion by 30th June, even if no chain, because of the backlog of work.

The EA needs to submit the offer and then come back, they can't just decide to ask for a higher offer!

You can only try - it's up to your end to do most of the work, but really it's beyond your control. Assume you will have to pay the stamp duty and offer accordingly.

I would take that as the buyer may accept the offer as it is but doesn't want to be knocked down further on a survey. I think the EA is just testing whether he can push you higher.

Its tight for 30 June, not impossible but far from guaranteed.