Asking price = off the market?

[cakehoover123]

Just that really.

Is it normal etiquette that if you offer asking price, the offer is accepted?

We like the house, so wondering if we should go in at (or near) asking; but not keen on the idea that we offer asking and then the seller uses it to baseline other bids.

There is no 'etiquette' and a seller is free to accept or refuse any offer. If I were selling and I got an offer at asking price, I personally would probably feel like accepting, but these days a lot of people are playing silly buggers. People might offer asking price and then try to piss about later on.

Thanks :)

As you say, a lot of people seem to be offering high and then trying to negotiate down later. Frustrating for everyone - including people like us who want to make an honest offer!

You can make it a condition of your offer that the seller takes it off the market if they accept. That is probably worth doing, but it doesn't guard against the estate agent ringing round everyone else who has viewed the house trying to start a bidding war as soon as they get your offer.

Agree with pp, there is no etiquette.

Definitely make your offer subject to it being removed from the open market, but also make sure you are in a strong position, with finances, house sale etc as sorted as it can be....

DD had to make an offer 7% above asking last year for her flat to be assured of getting it. She’d previously offered asking for first flat she saw and 4% over for the second (both rejected). The flat she bought was worth the extra at the time but this year an identical flat went for 3% over the same asking price. It’s such a gamble.