Decent offer first day on sale from only viewer - what should I do?

michaels

Put house for sale on Friday, wanted no viewings for 2 weeks while did some decorating but agent insisted I allow viewer who was due to go on holiday. So 16 hours of manic de cluttering and cleaning and not a lot of a sleep later this morning viewer went round with agent and immediately then offered 8% below asking price. Agent says viewer has 33% deposit and mortgage offer and is in renting on 1 month notice so pretty much ideal but...

Have only had one viewing so far and the house is not yet decorated to really present so it could be with a few more viewings of the decorated place I might get more interest and a better price but then again do want to risk losing the current offer?

Doozergirl

What happened on Friday marketing wise? (eg. We had an ad in the paper on Thursday but nothing to back it up; EA website on Friday; Rightmove and Prime Location this morning - we have done 3 viewings, have a second viewing booked and 4 more in the diary; something is telling me that things have picked up somewhat :eek:)

It's a bit soon to take 8% below, especially as you're not really on the market. What a predicament. It would be nice if you had some other viewings lined up to be able to guage what level of interest you actually have. Presumably this person will not be buying anything else in the meantime because they are holiday - it might just be worth saying thankyou, we'd really like the opportunity to show the house to other people but we are considering your offer. Even lower the asking price by 5% while they are away.

They may reconsider their offer anyway. Personally. I'd never accept a first offer.

michaels

AS far as I know only marketing was Right move on Sat and any call outs by agent on Friday. Agent tried to start making other viewings but I was firm - house needs some finishing work to present properly. I don't have to sell and am only planning to market for 6 weeks at this time and only accept a 'good' offer. I can already cash buy on any other property so having a 'good' buyer does not improve my bargaining position on any property I might see and like.

I am minded to get the decorating done and some more viewings and hope that the offer does not go away although obviously we are rapidly moving out of house buying season.

PasturesNew

Deja vu ... didn't we all answer this on a thread earlier this morning? Or when I watched Back to the Future was I also transported elsewhere...?

michaels

Well there is my thread on the other board but I thought this one with its bigger, more house selling focused membership might have some additional opinions. If it was someone else's' thread on the same topic on this board I will have a browse.

PasturesNew wrote: »

Deja vu ... didn't we all answer this on a thread earlier this morning? Or when I watched Back to the Future was I also transported elsewhere...?

starnac

okay this may seem like a stupid question but why didn't you get all the decorating done before you put it on the market if you think it would generate more interest? then you would have been ready straight for viewings straight away

missile

If you regard the offer as decent, I can't see the point in decorating? Why not sell it as is and move on. Holding out for more seems like you are being greedy and you might live to regret it.

asharon

I think most people know that you will end up making two offers when buying a property. Why not play the game and get your EA to say you need just a bit more money to cover your costs, or tiny Tim or something.

sunnysea83

michaels wrote: »

AS far as I know only marketing was Right move on Sat and any call outs by agent on Friday. Agent tried to start making other viewings but I was firm - house needs some finishing work to present properly. I don't have to sell and am only planning to market for 6 weeks at this time and only accept a 'good' offer. I can already cash buy on any other property so having a 'good' buyer does not improve my bargaining position on any property I might see and like.

I am minded to get the decorating done and some more viewings and hope that the offer does not go away although obviously we are rapidly moving out of house buying season.

Why didnt you wait till you had done the decorating before putting the house on the market??

You could lose several buyers because your not prepaired to show them the house until youve decorated.

Bufger

They may want to sort something before their holiday so say you're only looking to go 4% under asking and no more. That way you'll push him into a decision you cant make yourself.

Its always worth having more viewings. Ask your EA to start letting them through now, even before you've finished working on the house and then by the time this guy comes back off holiday you'll have an idea on how good his offer was and can go back to it.

getmore4less

AS for the offer tell the guy you want a bit more but will think about it and let them know when they get back from their holiday.

newly decorated house, what's that hiding?

I am not sure that the fresh look adds much, people want to do a bit themselves so are looking for an easy base to work from.

A declutter and good use of the space is probably enough, get the punters in having a look and save yourself 2 weeks work