Sold S.T.C...can I still make an offer?

Legacy_user

My house has been for sale for just over a week, and I received a good offer for it yesterday. However, a house that also came on the market last week that we viewed & thought was perfect has been s.s.t.c. on saturday..grrr!

I would like to still make an offer, but I'm not sure if I am legally allowed to now.
Are the agents still obliged to put forward any offers to the vendors at this stage?
Also, are they obliged to tell me what price the house sold for so I can be sure to make a higher offer (if possible)?
This house is perfect for us so I'm willing to pay the asking price if necessary to get it, as it will be a long-term/lifetime investment.

Mozilla_2

My understanding is that so long as completion hasn't happened, the seller can withdraw from any agreement with the proposed buyer!!

If it was me, I would still approach the agent and put in an offer. The agreement is between the seller and the proposed buyer, so by you putting in a higher offer you are not breaking any part of the agreement.

theGrinch

anything can happen until completion! there are no rules.

At this stage, it depends on whether the property has been moved from the market subject to survey. Some agents insist on it and others don't.

As it is still very early (1 week into a 3 month process) some agents will put your offer forward just incase the first is withdrawn. Its rotten on the initital offer but it happens.

If the house has joint agents then you can approach the second agent to make sure your offer is put to the vendor. But beware, this can start a bidding frenzy!

Dom_2-2

Even better, knock on the front door and speak with the owners, why use the agent!

you could also check the land registry website, pay the £2 fee and download the details from the register which will give you the owners name and how much they purchased for, always helpful.

horsefly_2

Selling property is a nerve-wracking time for all concerned; I know as I'm selling mine at the moment. This whole situation needs a an overhaul to ease the stress. Imagine - you're about to leave for your solicitor's office to sign the contract when you get a call saying you've lost the sale! No reason is given, you're just left high and dry. Everything seems to be weighted in favour of the buyer these days; not every vendor is out to screw a buyer!

System

Selling property is a nerve-wracking time for all concerned; I know as I'm selling mine at the moment. This whole situation needs a an overhaul to ease the stress. Imagine - you're about to leave for your solicitor's office to sign the contract when you get a call saying you've lost the sale!

That is exactly what happened to me when I sold my last house; my buyer pulled out on the day we were to exchange & the whole chain collapsed. I dislike the haggling over offers, the waiting to see if they will/won't accept. I wish houses were a fixed price...the price you see is what you have to pay.

I just spoke to the agent re putting in an offer & they tried their best to put me off. They said the vendors are happy with what they've got as it's "pretty much" the asking price.

I'm tempted to contact the owners as I have their email & phone number from when they were trying to sell the house privately, just to see if the agents are telling the truth!

Woby_Tide

when does their agency agreement end? could you not offer when that ends at the full price and deal as though you were offering on their private advertisement, which it seems like you can prove you had contact prior to them going with an agency?

Dan29

I would like to still make an offer, but I'm not sure if I am legally allowed to now.

Yes. Until exchange of contracts, the vendor is free to accept any other offer they wish to. Note that a couple of people who've replied above have referred to completion when they seem to mean exchange of contracts.

Are the agents still obliged to put forward any offers to the vendors at this stage?

Yes.

Also, are they obliged to tell me what price the house sold for so I can be sure to make a higher offer (if possible)?

No, and some will refuse to tell you. However you may be able to persuade them Remember that it's not in the agent's interest to recommend an offer that's only a few thousand higher than the original offer, as it doesn't mean much extra commission for them. You may also not be in a position to move as quickly as the people who've already made an offer, which may be a factor in whether your offer is accepted.

This house is perfect for us so I'm willing to pay the asking price if necessary to get it, as it will be a long-term/lifetime investment.

Are you willing to pay more than the asking price?

Pal

Contact the sellers direct and speak to them. The agency is trying to put you off so he can complete the sale and get his commission. He is not thinking about the seller's (his client!) best interests.

terrierlady

when i worked in an estate agents I used to ask the client to sit down whilst I phoned the vendor, and placed the offer, the vendor then usally asked to think it over and that way the offer was placed and upto the vendor if they accepted or not, it was house rule that each and every offer was put before the vendor.same is true in new home sales.