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Original poster

I just saw my dream house come on the market, my house isn't even up for sale, do I have a shot?

131 replies

december2020 · 02/05/2023 20:15

Literally the dream forever house!

My house isn't on the market yet (market was so slow) but I could show intent and how serious I am by moving very swiftly to get everything in order and get it on the market asap. I have been transparent with the estate agent on this and we have a viewing this week.

I'm already getting papers in order and getting a quote for a painter decorator to get the house ready.

I wouldn't need to increase my mortgage, but would need to port it, my lender allows this - I checked.
I'm calling them tomorrow to chat through any other criteria needed etc. and will set up an appointment.

I know it's a long shot, but do I have the slightest chance that this could pan out?

OP posts:
good96 · 09/05/2023 18:26

a relative of mine did this - they weren’t actively looking to move but a property came on the market that was ‘the dream’ - within a week, the estate agent was instructed and photos were taken. The house sold on second viewing for the full asking price and they ended up buying their dream home… that was 15 years ago in the 2007-2008 crisis though where the housing market wasn’t really moving rapid.

I wouldn’t waste time with decorating, just get the house clean and presentable and move quick!
I’d also make the vendors of your dream property know that you’re seriously interested!

PurpleReindeer2 · 09/05/2023 18:33

Not many people do it these days but you could consider a bridging loan to buy your dream home until you sell yours. Only a good idea really if it is absolutely your dream home and you price yours to sell quickly. Good luck xx

NewHouseNewMe · 09/05/2023 18:51

It worked out for me. They gave us 3 weeks to go under offer and we had the house on the market within a week and sold within 3 days. We were very serious..

Yes we could have waited for better offers had we not had pressure but we wanted the house and took the first offer at asking price.

No regrets!

Littlessweepy · 09/05/2023 19:12

I did this. Offered on dream house, was accepted, subject to sale. Listed mine for sale a few days later with same agent (didn’t decorate though it was in good enough condition). Accepted an offer on it from first viewer who offered about 20mins after their viewing. Was really easy. Go for it!

Stripedbag101 · 09/05/2023 19:51

I did it! Booked a viewing, asked estate agent to come and value mine at the same
time. Put mine on the market with the same agent. Mine had a lot of interest and was all agreed within the week.

was incredibly stressful but I did it!!!!

thedogisstaring · 09/05/2023 20:14

Exciting Op! Fingers crossed for you

Original poster
december2020 · 10/05/2023 20:17

Thank you so much!
So it has gone to best and final bids - we'll be submitting ours tomorrow.

My understanding from the estate agent is there is only one chain free buyer at the moment but the rest of the offers are from people in a similar situation to us.

I guess I'll know at the start of next week on the outcome. I'm still in no assumption we would have a chance but at least I'll know I tried.

OP posts:
CrispsnDips · 11/05/2023 07:01

When we had to put a best and final offer in, it had to be done by 12 noon and we were notified within a couple of hours. It can sometimes be helpful to make the offer “unusual” ie offer an extra £100, ie: £510,100….the extra £100 MIGHT make a difference!

BemusedBrenda · 11/05/2023 10:57

We did this a couple of years ago, we offered slightly more than we would have otherwise as we knew we weren't in a great position without our house even being on the market yet. The offer was accepted but the people up the chain (the people selling to our sellers) said they would pull out if we didnt break the chain I.e. we had to sell to a ftb or cash buyer, which meant we sold ours for a bit less than we could have otherwise. It did all happen in the end but a word of warning, our dream house is really not so dreamy as we had expected! Fingers crossed it all works out for you.

Tracker1234 · 11/05/2023 17:04

Having recently just sold a relatives house in London which is often different to the rest of the country it will all be down to whether you price your own house to aggressively sell. We did because it was empty. If the 'dream house' has gone to best and final then there are concerns as in there will be people who will presumambly have offers already but maybe at an early stage.

You have nothing to lose otherwise you could have massive 'what ifs'.

2bazookas · 11/05/2023 18:44

CrispsnDips · 11/05/2023 07:01

When we had to put a best and final offer in, it had to be done by 12 noon and we were notified within a couple of hours. It can sometimes be helpful to make the offer “unusual” ie offer an extra £100, ie: £510,100….the extra £100 MIGHT make a difference!

Many decades ago my lawyer told me to make an unusual number offer, and added "I'll lend you my lucky number. " I did, and ours was the winning bid (by a little over £500) . I've used his lucky number three times now and it still works.

NellyBarney · 12/05/2023 10:11

It might give you hope, but our last house, despite having featured (positively) in several property and garden porn magazines and national newspapers, took 8 years to sell, so you never know how much time it takes your vendor to find a buyer.

NellyBarney · 12/05/2023 10:18

And currently, so many houses under offer bounce back onto the market.

Original poster
december2020 · 12/05/2023 16:28

Thank you for the words of caution and I'm so sorry the dream house didn't end up being so dreamy @BemusedBrenda

And to all the wonderful stories of securing the dream house - I'm so happy !!

The estate agent said he'd give us an update today (whether they had an answer or if they are still waiting and it'll be next week) so i keep having an inbox refresh as the day is slowly closing.

Still feeling calm, I know the odds are stacked against me so not letting myself get too hopeful.

OP posts:
ThePurpleOctopus · 12/05/2023 19:09

Any news Op?

Original poster
december2020 · 12/05/2023 19:43

The estate agent emailed as promised, but the update was that they had no update yet from the seller - so hopefully we'll know more on Monday.

I'm the meantime we're spending this weekend decluttering the house (at least visible clutter Grin) getting ready for any photos and viewings next week just in case.

OP posts:
Pocketfullofdogtreats · 12/05/2023 19:48

We did this. We were looking for two years. Found the house we wanted, put in an offer, told them we were putting ours on the market right away. We priced it to sell and it sold to the first people who came to view. Someone else made an offer on the house we wanted but they didn't have a buyer and by then we did have! So yes, it's possible.

Original poster
december2020 · 15/05/2023 12:14

That's amazing!
I'm so happy to know there is a (albeit tiny) sliver of possibility.

No news yet from the estate agent either way - so I'm guessing that's not good news. But I'll send them an email this afternoon if it's still radio silence by then.

OP posts:
AlltheFs · 15/05/2023 12:18

I have managed to do this twice, but we got ours on the market and sold within 48hrs, but the market us harder right now.

Comfortingpigeon · 15/05/2023 12:20

Depends on the house you are wanting and how in demand it is but this is roughly how it worked for us; estate agent got us sold in a fortnight and we ported the mortgage.

watchthebloodycat · 15/05/2023 12:41

I'm doing this right now, so yes provided the sellers are in no rush.

Original poster
december2020 · 15/05/2023 13:44

So many success stories!

It looks like they're only speaking to the sellers at the end of the day, so hopefully (regardless of outcome), we'll have an answer by tonight.

OP posts:
Original poster
december2020 · 15/05/2023 17:23

They accepted our offer!

Though now the process so starts, so I'm not counting my chickens till the exchange , completion and we've moved in.

Eeek!

OP posts:
MarinatemysoulinSprite · 15/05/2023 17:29

That's amazing OP. Congratulations! Hope everything goes smoothly.

Fallowandbar · 15/05/2023 17:48

congrats! It's so exciting when you properly love a place!