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First time buyer - advice needed please

46 replies

Butterfly134 · 14/02/2026 13:58

Hi everyone 😊
Looking for a bit of advice as a first-time buyer. We’ve seen a house we absolutely love that’s listed as offers over £360k. Similar houses on the same road that are more updated have recently sold for around £340k, which is closer to our budget (we can stretch to £350k max).

Would it be unreasonable to offer £340k in this situation? Not sure how flexible “offers over” really is and don’t want to offend the seller, but also don’t want to overstretch ourselves. Any advice or experiences would be really appreciated!

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Thattimenow · 14/02/2026 13:59

How long been on the market?

Flukingflukes · 14/02/2026 14:02

Forget the idea that you will offend the vendor. This is a business transaction, with both sides negotiating a price they can agree on.

Always go in low first, as this is your starting point. As £350k is top of your budget, I would go in at £330k. As you are first time buyers, you are in a strong position, so no chain. This should be emphasised when making your offer.

Thattimenow · 14/02/2026 14:04

Flukingflukes · 14/02/2026 14:02

Forget the idea that you will offend the vendor. This is a business transaction, with both sides negotiating a price they can agree on.

Always go in low first, as this is your starting point. As £350k is top of your budget, I would go in at £330k. As you are first time buyers, you are in a strong position, so no chain. This should be emphasised when making your offer.

depends on how long been on the market before you’d go in with a £330k offer!

viques · 14/02/2026 14:20

You have fallen in love with the house. That’s the “heart” bit over and done with. Excellent, no one should buy a house they hate.

Now, forget the heart, use the head.

What you can ‘comfortably’ afford ( interest rates might go up). Bear in mind too all the extra expenses of solicitors fees, searches, moving costs.

What ,if any work, needs to be done to the house, focus on basic stuff, roof, electrics, plumbing, heating,fencing, damp. Then think about updating, (kitchen bathroom) . Try not to think about decor, you can live with it, getting the structure right is where the money needs to be spent. Unless you have a builder in the family who can check the house over you need to budget for a full survey.

Check out the area at different times of the day, how does the traffic change, are there schools nearby, does a bus go past fifty times a day and stop at the bus stop next door? Is there a pub down the road, a supermarket, a takeaway, a station, a church, a temple, a mosque? Where do people park, where do the neighbours park, where will you park?

Which way is the house oriented, where does the morning and afternoon sun fall.

If you have dogs or children is there a park or open space nearby, is it safe to walk there, are there decent pavements. What other useful local amenities are nearby, a doctors, a garage, a petrol station, a handy shop.

Butterfly134 · 14/02/2026 14:20

Thanks so much to everyone who’s replied – really appreciate all the helpful perspectives.

Having read through the comments, we’re feeling more confident that offering below the asking price is reasonable. We viewed another property literally round the corner last week that was listed at £350k, and although a similar size/layout, it was much more up to date (new kitchen already fitted, redecorated etc).

Taking that into account, plus the work this house would need, it feels sensible to reflect that in our offer rather than stretching to the asking price.

forgot to add that the house has been on the market for 2 weeks

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Thattimenow · 14/02/2026 14:22

Butterfly134 · 14/02/2026 14:20

Thanks so much to everyone who’s replied – really appreciate all the helpful perspectives.

Having read through the comments, we’re feeling more confident that offering below the asking price is reasonable. We viewed another property literally round the corner last week that was listed at £350k, and although a similar size/layout, it was much more up to date (new kitchen already fitted, redecorated etc).

Taking that into account, plus the work this house would need, it feels sensible to reflect that in our offer rather than stretching to the asking price.

forgot to add that the house has been on the market for 2 weeks

Edited

So if your budget is £350k, why didn’t you put in an offer on the better house around the corner ?

Butterfly134 · 14/02/2026 14:34

@Thattimenowthat house had a leak coming in through the roof and was affecting 2/3 bedrooms. The vendor also said that they would want to hold off on exchange etc as they are looking to move in July

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Thattimenow · 14/02/2026 14:43

Butterfly134 · 14/02/2026 14:34

@Thattimenowthat house had a leak coming in through the roof and was affecting 2/3 bedrooms. The vendor also said that they would want to hold off on exchange etc as they are looking to move in July

So very relevant why £350k!

Buscobel · 14/02/2026 16:02

Have you budgeted for fees, stamp duty etc?

If the house has only been on the market for two weeks, the vendors might want to hold out for a higher price. Do you know if there have been other offers?

Tortephant · 14/02/2026 16:58

Offer what it’s worth to you and what you can comfortably afford. You will always have expenses you haven’t accounted for to add in.

offer 330k, and stress no chain, easy transaction etc.

HeartyBlueRobin · 14/02/2026 17:01

After two weeks on the market I wouldn't sell for £330k unless I was desperate to move. I'd hold out a little longer. Appreciate not everyone will feel the same so no harm in asking.

Advocodo · 14/02/2026 17:46

HeartyBlueRobin · 14/02/2026 17:01

After two weeks on the market I wouldn't sell for £330k unless I was desperate to move. I'd hold out a little longer. Appreciate not everyone will feel the same so no harm in asking.

I would tend to agree but they may have found their dream house and be frightened to lose it!

Thattimenow · 14/02/2026 17:54

HeartyBlueRobin · 14/02/2026 17:01

After two weeks on the market I wouldn't sell for £330k unless I was desperate to move. I'd hold out a little longer. Appreciate not everyone will feel the same so no harm in asking.

Nor would I

especially as turns out the one that is listed for £350k around the corner has damp problems impacting two rooms and vendor said hold off exchange as didn’t want to move until July!

HeartyBlueRobin · 14/02/2026 18:08

Advocodo · 14/02/2026 17:46

I would tend to agree but they may have found their dream house and be frightened to lose it!

Chances are their dream home requires every penny of the current sale.

HarryVanderspeigle · 14/02/2026 18:18

You can offer, they can accept or decline. It's rarely a good idea to look at properties above your maximum budget, you juat get used to what that price will buy and feel line ones in budget aren't good enough.

sbplanet · 14/02/2026 19:57

Butterfly134 · 14/02/2026 13:58

Hi everyone 😊
Looking for a bit of advice as a first-time buyer. We’ve seen a house we absolutely love that’s listed as offers over £360k. Similar houses on the same road that are more updated have recently sold for around £340k, which is closer to our budget (we can stretch to £350k max).

Would it be unreasonable to offer £340k in this situation? Not sure how flexible “offers over” really is and don’t want to offend the seller, but also don’t want to overstretch ourselves. Any advice or experiences would be really appreciated!

What makes this house better than others you are talking about - the one with the dodgy roof is obvious?
You seem to be saying that there is no reason why they should want offers over £360k. Offer your maximum, tell them it is and that obviously as FTB there is no chain and you will try and get the sale completed as quickly as they might want. Or offer them £340k and see what they say.

rainingsnoring · 14/02/2026 23:39

You can offer whatever you like. I wouldn't worry about offending the seller. People who get offended by such small things are likely to be difficult to deal with in general.
When you mention comparable properties, is it just the house around the corner with the leaky roof or are there several others which have recently sold for less despite being in better condition?
What part of the country are you in roughly? What's the market like there? Are homes in your price range selling quickly or not? How much deposit do you have? How secure are your income(s)?
Think about all these things when you are deciding what to offer. A lot of people, myself included, have a gut reaction when it comes to houses but you need to think with your head as it is a business transaction and you really don't want to overpay, especially as a FTB.

Butterfly134 · 16/02/2026 13:06

Thank you all for your responses. All the advice is much appreciated. We really don’t want to overpay, as mentioned by @rainingsnoringand we really do want to think this through in a logical way. We’re going for a second viewing tomorrow to see it again with a fresh set mindset and not think with our hearts too much

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Butterfly134 · 20/02/2026 12:35

Hi all, so a little update. We put an offer in on the house and they said that’s fine our offer is the highest they’ve received (340k) we are aware of how luv it would roughly cost to get things done in the house as it is very old and we’re looking at near to 30k of work. Seller has said that’s they want to wait for more offers to come in as they believe they could get close to the asking price. Are we right for leaving our offer of 340k on the table. The estate agent also said the would give us a call next week to let us know if there are any other offers and we said we would review them. What can we expect to now happen? Any advice would be helpful. Thank you x

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TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 20/02/2026 13:50

Hi @Butterfly134 how long has it been on the market now?
So your offer is the highest and they're hoping for higher but that doesn't mean they're going to get it! Definitely leave your offer on the table but meantime go on looking at houses. You might see something you like better! If they don't get a better offer sooner or later they'll either decide to take yours or they'll be silly and hold out. So you'll either get it or you won't. Let's face it if they try and pressure you to up your offer it'll be because no-one else is offering higher.
Hang in there but keep looking too, because you haven't committed yourselves. Best of luck! 🤞

viques · 20/02/2026 14:34

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 20/02/2026 13:50

Hi @Butterfly134 how long has it been on the market now?
So your offer is the highest and they're hoping for higher but that doesn't mean they're going to get it! Definitely leave your offer on the table but meantime go on looking at houses. You might see something you like better! If they don't get a better offer sooner or later they'll either decide to take yours or they'll be silly and hold out. So you'll either get it or you won't. Let's face it if they try and pressure you to up your offer it'll be because no-one else is offering higher.
Hang in there but keep looking too, because you haven't committed yourselves. Best of luck! 🤞

Agree with this. They have put your very good offer in their back pocket but will dump you in seconds if something better comes along, so don’t feel you owe them any loyalty or consideration if you see something else.

Keep looking and make sure their estate agent knows you are still looking. Lots of people wait until Spring to market their house so the chances are a lot more will be coming onto the market in the next few weeks. Remember you are first time buyers with all your ducks in a row, so you are exactly the sort of buyers agents and sellers are looking for.

stichguru · 20/02/2026 14:43

Butterfly134 · 20/02/2026 12:35

Hi all, so a little update. We put an offer in on the house and they said that’s fine our offer is the highest they’ve received (340k) we are aware of how luv it would roughly cost to get things done in the house as it is very old and we’re looking at near to 30k of work. Seller has said that’s they want to wait for more offers to come in as they believe they could get close to the asking price. Are we right for leaving our offer of 340k on the table. The estate agent also said the would give us a call next week to let us know if there are any other offers and we said we would review them. What can we expect to now happen? Any advice would be helpful. Thank you x

There's no harm in leaving that offer on the table. The seller may struggle to sell or come to the realisation that their asking price was high (like I have with my parents' house). They may then lap-up your offer. Or they may find someone willing to pay more, in which case that person may buy the house. Seriously, the only issue leaving your offer on the table causes, is if you would be heart broken not to get the house, if someone who will offer more swoops in. If that's the case, raise the offer to the asking price ASAP.

BrownTroutBluesAgain · 20/02/2026 15:17

Leave the offer as is
The seller hasn’t had the property on the market that long so wants to see if other buyers offer more. That’s sensible

If they get a higher offer you may have to review yours.
So whilst waiting consider your absolute max offer.

rainingsnoring · 21/02/2026 02:08

No harm in leaving the offer on the table for now and continuing to look at other properties in the meantime.

Butterfly134 · 21/02/2026 10:11

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 20/02/2026 13:50

Hi @Butterfly134 how long has it been on the market now?
So your offer is the highest and they're hoping for higher but that doesn't mean they're going to get it! Definitely leave your offer on the table but meantime go on looking at houses. You might see something you like better! If they don't get a better offer sooner or later they'll either decide to take yours or they'll be silly and hold out. So you'll either get it or you won't. Let's face it if they try and pressure you to up your offer it'll be because no-one else is offering higher.
Hang in there but keep looking too, because you haven't committed yourselves. Best of luck! 🤞

Thank you so much for the reassurance. We have booked in a few more viewing for other houses over the course of next week. As were first time buyers, this is new to us and we are learning how to deal with all the waiting, back and forth etc. do you think it’s worth checking in with them next week or should we wait till we hear back from them? Thank you 😊

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