How to make an offer on a house

After what seems like an eternity of searching, you’ve finally picked the house you want. Now you need to buy it.

Here's our step by step guide on how to make an offer on a house. To make sure you get a deal you're happy with.

4 steps on how to make an offer on a house

If you want to break it down into basic steps, here’s what you need to do:

• Research local properties
• Set a budget on how much you can afford
• Talk to the estate agent
• Negotiate

1. Research local properties

Preparation is key, and before making an offer do your research to find out how much similar properties in the area have recently sold for.

That way, you'll know if the price they're asking for is fair or not. It should also reassure you that you're not going to pay too much for the house based on the current market. 

Zoopla can be used to check for the house price of a specific property, or prices of similar properties around the area. You can also read more tips in our guide on how to value a house.

You should pay close attention to how quickly houses in the area are selling. If the houses are usually on the market for a long time, that could put you in a stronger position when it comes to negotiating. That's because the sellers might want to secure an offer quickly.

According to Zoopla, the average property price in the UK in April 2024 was £264,300. But remember that prices can vary a lot depending on where and what you're looking to buy, so research what's happening in your local market. 

2. Set a budget on how much you can afford

It's important to set a budget on the maximum you'll be able to afford and to stick with it.

Before viewing houses, some estate agents ask for a mortgage in principle (MIP) so they know you're serious about buying. A MIP provides an indication of what you can borrow, and what you can afford to spend on a property. It is not a guaranteed mortgage offer, but it gives you a good idea of your budget.

Remember it's not just the mortgage repayments and deposit you'll need to afford. There are other expenses with house buying to consider, such as:

• Stamp duty (The rate you pay depends on where you live in the UK, England and Northern Ireland have the same rates but Wales and Scotland have different rates.)
• Legal fees
• Arrangement and booking fees
• Valuation fees
• Survey fees

The expert advisors at Mojo Mortgage, our broker partner, offer free advice with no obligation to buy. With some information, they can tell you exactly how much you'll be able to afford and can make an offer on a house for you.

3. Talk to the estate agent

Once you've done your research on the property area and you know how much you can afford, you're all set to contact the estate agent.

You can either call the estate agent, or go into their office. But make sure to put your offer in writing to ensure that the conversation is on-record should you need to refer to it.

By law, estate agents have to pass every offer you make onto the seller.

Deciding how much to offer can be tricky and you'll need to decide how much you're willing to pay for the property. Just keep in mind the budget outlined in your mortgage in principle so you don’t overspend.

4. Negotiate

If you're unsure how much to offer on a house, it can be tempting to go straight in with the asking price. But there are some circumstances where you're more likely to have a lower offer accepted such as:

• The seller wants a quick sale
• You're chain free, meaning nobody else is waiting for you to sell your own property
• The property has been on the market for a long time
• It's a buyer's market and properties are slow to sell
• You're a cash buyer, so you won't need a mortgage

If one of these situations applies to you and you want to try offering below the asking price, start with a reasonable lower offer. The amount depends on how much you want to spend on the property, but usually around 5-10% below the asking price. 

When offering a lower price, it also gives you room to increase the offer should the seller reject. Depending on the situation, you might need to come back with another offer 2 or 3 times until a final one is accepted. Of course, by doing this you may also miss out on the property if someone else offers a higher price before you do.

If the house is advertised as 'offers in region of' (OIRO), it usually means the seller is open to negotiation and may be willing to accept a lower offer.

If it says 'offers in excess of' (OIEO), this means the buyer wants you to offer a price higher than the advertised asking price.

In Scotland, houses are usually marketed slightly differently. They are normally priced as either 'offers over' which means the seller expects you to bid over the asking price. Or 'fixed price' which usually means the seller will accept the first offer that is made at that price. But with 'fixed price' properties, there can be room for negotiation and you may be able to offer less than the specified price.

But in Scotland, you will also have a Home Report made available to you which includes a surveyor's assessment of the property and their estimated value of what it's worth. This can be helpful in determining how much you are willing to offer. You'll also have a solicitor acting for you when you make an offer, and they are normally crucial in advising you what you may need to bid to secure a property. 

How to make sure your offer on a house is accepted

Negotiating an offer on a house can be daunting, particularly if you've never had to do it before.

Here are some tips on different ways you can improve your chances of getting an offer on a house accepted:

• If you've spotted any flaws when viewing the house, use it to haggle the price. If it'll be expensive to fix, you could try and get it deducted from the asking price.
• If you' know there are others bidding on the property, avoid making an offer in round numbers. This way you're less likely to make the same bid as someone else.
• Try not to offer too low a price as it can cause tension with the seller making them less likely to accept future offers.
• Emphasise your position if you think it'll be attractive to the seller. For example, if you're a cash buyer or you don't have a chain.
• Be proactive and act quickly. If you're certain you like the property after the viewing, make an offer. This way, you're less likely to be in competition with other buyers and the seller will know you're serious about buying.

What do I do after an offer on a house is accepted?

If they accept your offer, the estate agent will send you a written contract with the heading “subject to survey and contract”.

Nothing is set in stone yet – either party can still pull out of the deal if they wish.

Now is also the time to formally apply for your mortgage. You should already have a mortgage in principle which should speed things up.

If you've compared mortgages with our broker partner Mojo, their mortgage brokers can help you with completing the mortgage application.

To complete the application, you’ll need:

• Proof of ID, e.g. passport or driving licence
• Proof of your current address, e.g. council tax or utility bill
• Last 3 months’ worth of payslips or self-employed equivalent
• Your most recent P60
• Details of any credit commitments, such as credit card statements, student loans or overdrafts

Beware of gazumping

Once you’ve had your offer accepted, ask the estate agent and seller to take the house off the market.

They don’t have to do this. But if they do it’ll stop someone sneaking in a higher offer and taking the house for themselves.

This is called gazumping. It’s not good etiquette, but it’s completely legal.

Some estate agents will ask you to put down a non-refundable deposit called a holding deposit to reserve the property before the exchange of contracts.

The holding deposit is the amount paid to the seller to show you're serious about buying. Once contracts are signed, your holding deposit is paid back. But if you change your mind, the seller gets to keep the deposit.

What our mortgage expert says:

“Gazumping is much less common in Scotland, as a solicitor is usually more involved in the selling process – but it’s not impossible. If the seller did choose to take a different, higher offer after already accepting one, their solicitor has to withdraw from acting on their behalf. This means the seller must find a new solicitor, which most people are reluctant about having to do”

Claire Flynn Mortgage expert