No counter offer from vendor.....

Rosetinted

If I have a first offer rejected, I always ask the estate agent if the vendor has indicated a price that they would sell for/the sort of figure they're looking for. If they haven't, ask the estate agent what they think that figure might be or even if they could go back to the vendor and see if you're in the right ballpark. You could make this a positive 'in the interests of saving everyone time, I'd like to know how close I am' type of statement.

As for thinking you're wasting your time - someone not coming back with a counter-offer really doesn't mean anything. Some people don't like to reveal their hand too soon. I know it sounds cliched, but you really have to have a positive attitude with these things and not only think in terms of money but also extolling the virtues of you as a potential buyer. With each offer, remind them of all your plus points (whether it's no chain, happy to move at the seller's pace, etc.), which may help get the agent on your side. Agents can have quite a bit of influence over a seller.

Have you used PropertyBee or similar to check if the house has had its price dropped during the time it's been marketed or whether it's sold and been relisted? If the price is the same after two months, you could be facing stubborn sellers who want a certain price (and if you can't meet it, you'll have to walk away). If the property sold and was later relisted, they might be set on matching whatever price was agreed before.

moneyistooshorttomention

I asked the EA in the first place what sort of price the vendor was likely to be looking for BEFORE I even made an offer. I was surprised to get told the answer....

On the other hand, when I turned down offers on my last house I just said "No" and didn't give any indication of what I would actually accept. Not all vendors will let their EA know what they would take...

catshark88

I really wouldn't over think it. Just ask the agent what they think the vendor will accept and then bid what you are happy to pay. You'll never know the nuances of that particular vendor's thought processes. There may not even be any...

ellie27

And do remember that if the agent comes back and says the vendor says they will accept x, it doesnt mean you have to offer that!

eg we offered £x which was rejected, the agent said the vendor says they will accept x+£13k. Within the hour we offered x+£5k and that was accepted.

Dollyrockerz

Ugh, I sympathise, it's very frustrating when you get zero feedback.

I'm in a similar position, we made a low offer 2 weeks ago which was rejected witin a couple of days, we then raised it 3k to the minimum the property was advertised at (offers between x and y, we offered x) 2 weeks later we are still waiting for them to make a decision.

I think you have to decide exactly how much you want to pay for the place and just make it your best offer and hope for the best outcome.

Good luck

DRP

I'm not surprised they don't want to give OP a counter offer - the property has only been on a couple of months, so why would they want to help a buyer get the lowest price!!?

In my experience the asking price itself is a fairly good guide to what the vendor will accept.... unless there are 'issues' a vendor may be looking for a minimum of 5% under asking.

My personal formula for bidding, assuming a fairly decent house in a decent market:
First bid: Asking price minus 10%
2nd bid: Add 4-6% (so a substantial increase, to show how serious you are)
3rd bid if required: Add 0.5-1.5% (a grand or so, that's all i have Guvnor)


I also wouldn't bother waiting 4 days between bids. Just get the thing done as quickly as possible and tell the EA that is what you want to do. The last thing you want is another weekend of (real or fake) viewings, so that on Monday the EA can tell you there's another party interested...