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

cashndash

obviously doesn't need decorating if you've got an offer as it is!!

try and get a bit more out of the buyer, explaining that as it's only been on for a day you're reluctant to accept an offer just yet, how close can he get to the asking price?

however if not, if you're happy with his offer, you don't need to decorate and can start looking for a new house - go for it!

our house is much the same, could do with decorating, but that doesn't add value, it just makes it easier to sell, obviously yours is selling anyway! lucky you

googler

I've been tracking a certain postcode area near to me, and the majority have been offered on a Fixed Price or Offers in region of basis, and when I look at the sold prices since the beginning of 2009, and compare them to the asking prices, they're on average 6% below asking.

If your area is anything like this, I'd see if the buyer would be willing to strike a deal at something a little nearer to your asking price, and if they do - accept, grab them, and don't let go until exchange of contracts. If they won't go any higher, accept, and likewise, don't let go.

Do you really want to gamble on whether or not things are going to get worse, when you've got what seems to be a decent offer on the table?

Rick62

I don't think a coat of paint makes any difference, I agree with Getmore4less on this.

No one (but an idiot) makes their first offer their best offer, everyone holds something back to sweeten the offer. Tell them you are prepared to negotiate but want more than their first offer, then use the 2 weeks that they (say) they are on holiday to get some more viewings.

Depending how the other viewings go you then know how hard you can negotiate.

beccad

You can't need all that much decorating doing if you've got a decent offer with the existing decor...

Chances are they'll come in and redecorate to their taste anyway...

missile

Some people prefer to decorate themselves. DIY decorating is a lot of hassle and I would hope you have better things to do?

Take the offer.

TighterThanTwoCoatsOfPain

Hmmmm its a tricky one!

I'm in the camp that says you dont have to decorate to sell your house. If you saw mine before bought you would be hard pushed to believe it was possible to make a new house so old person looking!!

That said, i dont consider an 8% below asking price offer "decent" if you believe you accurately marketed the house at the "correct" price to begin with.

However - from reading your post and nothing else, from the position you suggest you are in, the fact you have priced in (your head anyway) the extra value of redecoration, the fact you can cash buy elsewhere and dont have to sell i would guess -8% is probably well worth considering.

jeez, what a waffle.. i know what i meant!

poppysarah

Save your time decorating. Sell it. It's a good offer by the sounds of it.
how much time/money were you planning on spending decorating?

clutton_2

what is the asking price ?

then lets see if 8% is worth arguing about

michaels

Thanks everyone for comments so far

asharon wrote: »

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.

What I thought but agent says buyer has gone with his top price in the hope of being close enough to be taken seriously

poppysarah wrote: »

Save your time decorating. Sell it. It's a good offer by the sounds of it.
how much time/money were you planning on spending decorating?

About 2k - had an extension/alterations 2 years ago and some walls ceilings are still bare [plaster, one door not hung and ensuite shower room has no door on shower cubicle so possibly 'decorating' was underplaying what needed doing...no time for diy since we had DS this Feb.

clutton wrote: »

what is the asking price ?

then lets see if 8% is worth arguing about

324,950. I thought price was above sensible level, other agents had suggested I might get 280-310. 310 would be very helpful for purchase I am thinking about.

Edit: Forgot - why on market before ready? Misunderstanding with agent about how long HIP would take and also over optimism on my part on how quickly I could find a decent decorator.

barnaby-bear

michaels wrote: »

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?

I think there is an element that your first few viewers can be your most serious and viewings tail off in number - because of backlog/waiting demand.... anyone waiting/watching for something specific who really want a specific house type might be most likely to pop up early on.....