Is it reasonable to set a deadline on a house offer?

[foursquares]

Been negotiating with seller for a couple of weeks. She finally came back with I'll accept £xxxk (£15k below asking).

I accepted this price. Seller is now "considering" offer, but it's been 5 days with no formal acceptance.

I've made it clear this is my best and final offer, and I have a second property I also like if this one falls through (no offers made).

Appreciate your advice :

1. Is it normal for sellers to take their time?
2. Is it reasonable for me to put a deadline?

I'd say they're not serious about accepting an offer and are going to mess you around.

Yep.

In fact this would be enough for me to rescind the offer. Imagine dealing with this seller to completion!

We've just sold our house. We knew exactly how much we would agree to so said yes the minute we got that offer. I'd move on if I were you. She's most likely hedging her bets for a better offer but doesn't want to outright say no to you.

I’d say that, unless the offer is accepted on the next working day, the offer is withdrawn.

Just move on.

I’d say a couple of days is acceptable unless vendor is on holiday - but then they’ll be contactable surely?

Every vendor knows what’s the absolute minimum that they can accept even if they don’t communicate this to the estate agent - that said - I’m guessing they’re waiting for a better offer perhaps?

I’d go back to the estate agent and tell them that if you haven’t had a response by a certain date then you’ll be withdrawing your offer. They would have had plenty of time.

TBH I’d set a deadline but continue with caution because entering into the process with people like that is seriously risky if they pull out later

Thanks for helpful replies, which pretty much confirmed my thinking.

Estate agent has chased seller a couple of times, but she seems to be non-committal, or buying time..

5 days is too long especially after a couple of weeks negotiating.

So to answer your questions: Yes and Yes.

If I was you, I would contact the Estate Agent and say the offer is being rescinded in 48 hours.

I find the buying/selling in the Uk fascinating! I’ve heard some of the shenanigans from my siblings.

I’m in the US and if you make an offer on a house, it goes in with a cheque to prove you’re serious. The sellers then have 24 hours to respond to the offer (either accept or counter) once you agree on price and terms, the buyer has 5 days to have their lawyer inspect the contract, they then increase their earnest money, have the home inspected for serious problems, and then the contract becomes binding on both sides with serious financial consequences for any messing around. My daughter just bought a house, and from the day she made the offer until the day she got the keys was 30 days. June 22, I like this house. July 22 I own this house!

Why did she bother saying she’d accept £15k under asking price if she’s not accepted it straight away? She’s waiting for someone else to put in a bigger offer you can guarantee that and if you go down the route to buy she will STILL accept a higher offer even after you’ve done surveys and paid ££ to solicitors even at the last moment! So unless you really want this house make it VERY clear to her that she either accepts and you go ahead but she signs something legally to say she will cover ALL your costs if she pulls out further down the line or accepts another offer. That way you can know she’s serious and if she messes you around then you can sue her for costs.

sellers waiting 5 days with no communication? Nah don’t waste your time imo they are time wasters with zero respect for anyone else