Can you put an offer on a house if yours isn't up for sale yet

Mocha61

If you ask to view a house the estate agent normally asks if you have a buyer for your house, if you say no they normally wont arrange a viewing for you, its a good idea to get yours on the market first but dont be rushed into buying what you dont want.

Atomix

One thing that helped us , we put ours on with the same agent, knowing there are x2 sales lined up - chivvies them on a little -

pinkshoes

We didn't allow people to view unless they were serious buyers e.g. house on market at least.

We had priced sensibly for a quick sale and weren't short of viewers, so didnt want the stress of tidying up for a viewing when the buyer wasn't able to proceed.

RockTheShack

We're currently in the same dilemma, and have been advised to sell or at least have ours on the market before we put an offer in as the risk of having to rent for a few months is less of a problem than potentially owing £100ks. However we have been viewing other properties without EAs questioning our ability to buy.

Our mortgage advisor told us that bridging loans are very rare at the moment, though we have viewed a few properties where the sellers have already moved to a new property before putting theirs on the market, I'm wondering how they manage to do this? (presumably without a bridging loan as they're taking the time to move out etc and then go to a closing date)

hcb42

Sell yours before you start putting offers in.

If you are struggling, then break the chain - rent for six months, and put yourself in a better buying position. not cheap but often worth it