Any point making an offer before we've sold?

indiegrrl

We'd like to make an offer on a house but we haven't sold ours. We're not as stupid as we seem - had been in situation where we could cover 2 mortgages, but changing circs mean we now can't. So now our house has gone on market, today, sensibly priced, in a suburb where house prices have flatlined but houses are selling fairly well.
The property we like is in an area with similar housing situation. Vendor has yet to start looking for new home, needs to know how much they'll get from a buyer first. We'd like to offer. Realise we're not an attractive bet now. Is there anything we can do to look more attractive, or have we just got no chance?

motherofstudents

I'd say sell first, it will give you more bargaining power and the vendors will take you seriously.

jbainbridge

Unfortunately as you're not in a position to buy yet ... any offer won't be taken seriously. Sorry.

Mickygg

I agree with above. I as most would only accept or listen to offers from proceedable buyers.

phill99

Your offer will be acknowledged but won't have any influence as you ate notin a position to go ahead and complete the purchase. The property will remain on the market until your house is sold and you can proceed or until another offers accepted from someone that is able to proceed.

indiegrrl

Just to say thanks to you all - hard to hear, but you got us moving. We put our house on the market 3 days after your posts and had an asking price offer 6 days later from buyers who are in rented and good to go. We had our offer accepted on the house we want two days later. Nice work, money savers, you helped me out.

apositivethinkingcat

Congrats!!!! Having an offer first is always important - it just ends up so chicken and egg as you get an offer then run about trying to find a place then loose the buyer or find a place then run about trying to find a buyer and loose the place... patience seems to be the key. Also, when you sell yours it will take a bit of time unless it's a cash buyer - so that time lets you find a place to go to. Being able to sell and rent for a bit looking for the next place seems the least stressful way to do things if it is an option you are also then 'chain free' which makes you an attractive buyer....

Davesnave

indiegrrl wrote: »

Just to say thanks to you all - hard to hear, but you got us moving. .

Great news! You obviously priced right too.

If only some of the others who come here for advice would be as willing to hear the (often uncomfortable) advice given.

indiegrrl

Cheers Davesnave. The way we priced the house was also down to this forum. I only seem to come on here when I'm buying or selling, and every time it is worth it.