Updated Dec 2024
How to make an offer
To make an offer on a property in England and Wales, call the seller’s estate agent and tell them how much you’re willing to pay. After you’ve done this, follow up in writing with a formal offer. Then wait to see if the seller accepts your offer, or if they would prefer a higher price.
There are a number of things you can do to make your offer more attractive. By following these steps, you give yourself a better chance of getting your offer accepted and eventually completing on the purchase.
How to make your offer stand out
You’re unlikely to be able to speak to the seller directly, but you can still make your offer stand out through the estate agent. The more detail you can include, the more an agent and seller will take it seriously.
Make sure to include the following things in your offer:
💷 Your offer amount
It is essential to include your offer amount for the property you want to buy. In cases where there are identical bids, offering an uneven figure will set you apart. For example, £300,500 is an unusual number, and just might catch the attention of the seller.
🏃♂️ Your position
Make sure to let them know exactly where you are in the process, including whether you’re chain free. If you’re not reliant on the sale of another property to fund your purchase, then you’re not part of a chain (you’re chain free). That makes you a more attractive buyer than other people offering the same amount of money, as you’re not relying on other transactions in the chain to complete on the same day. The fewer links (transactions) in the chain, the less chance there is of something going wrong and delaying the purchase. As a chain-free buyer, you’re more likely to be viewed as a safer bet.
If you’re selling your current property to fund this purchase, include details about where you are in that sale process. For example, you might say “Our buyer’s offer was accepted 3 weeks ago and the conveyancing process is already underway.” This demonstrates to the agent and seller that you’re making good progress with your sale.
💷 The size of your deposit
The estate agent will want to know the size of your deposit. For first-time buyers, your deposit might range from 5% to 40% of the value of the property. If you’ve already owned a house, it might be more. Either way, be sure to include the amount on your offer.
🏦 A mortgage agreement in principle
To make your offer stand out, get a mortgage agreement in principle (also known as an AIP). This lets you (and the seller) know how much you’re able to borrow so your offer is realistic.
👩💼 Details of your lawyer
Instructing a solicitor early shows you’re serious about the purchase and speeds up the process by getting background checks out the way. If you’ve not yet instructed a solicitor, click here to get a quote for free. You won’t pay anything until your offer is accepted, and it will make you stand out if you’ve already instructed a solicitor.
👷🏾 Details of your surveyor
A surveyor will assess the condition of the property you want to buy and will create a report to help you decide whether to buy it. Find one sooner rather than later and include the details on your offer.
💌 End on a positive note
Finally, it’s best to round off your offer with a positive note about why you want the property. Houses hold a lot of emotional value, so if the seller feels like they’re passing on the house to a good custodian, they might be more likely to accept your offer. Remember that selling a home can be an emotional experience - many sellers have lived there for years and created cherished memories.
Share what specifically drew you to the property. For example: “We fell in love with the character of the house and can picture our family making wonderful memories here. The garden is perfect for our children, and we would be delighted to be the next family to call this special place home.”
This personal touch helps the seller connect with you as a buyer and shows genuine appreciation for the home they’ve cared for. It might also help to convince the seller that you’re a serious buyer that will follow through with the purchase to completion. It can make your offer stand out even if it’s not the highest, as many sellers take comfort in knowing their home will be treasured by its next owners.
In summary
- Call the estate agent with your offer amount
- Follow up in writing with a formal offer that includes:
- A mortgage agreement in principle
- A personal note about why you love the property
- Offer amount (consider an unusual number to stand out)
- Position (chain free or selling status)
- Size of your deposit
- Solicitor’s details
- Surveyor’s details
What to do if your offer is accepted
Once your offer is accepted, you’ll need to move quickly to keep the purchase on track. Find out exactly what steps to take next to keep your purchase moving smoothly here.
