How close to asking price to offer?

lighting_up_the_chalice

Not sure a fully understand. You seem to have found a place that you don't like and you cannot afford.

mummyyum

Prices are rising very fast in these areas and seem to be selling very quickly. Flats have gone up by about 30 to 40 thousand in the past 6 months. If you like West wickham then I don't think you'd like Thornton Heath...very different sort of areas. Have you looked on Rightmove for Forestdale...its only about 5 or 10 minutes drive from West Wickham and very green and safe. There are a couple of 1 bedroom flats in your price range on at the moment.

colindkavanagh

Offer below what you think it's worth and go upwards from there. After some negotiation we had an offer on a house accepted in South East London for £30k below the asking price and they had already dropped the price twice at this stage. Likewise we sold our own flat below the asking price mainly because buyers were in a good position. We bought and sold for around 5% below the asking price. Also check what other houses have sold for in the area you are buying as this gives you grounds for negotiation. Never be afraid to offer below asking price.

dominoman

You can try.

After looking at 10-20 properties you will have a very good idea of what the right asking price is and what they will sell for.

I have been looking in Honor Oak Park, Forest Hill, Catford, Beckenham areas for a year or so and there are some places coming on that I instantly know will go for under asking price. Not many though.

At 180k budget I would definitely consider Croydon. Even in Catford you will struggle to get a one bed flat for that.