unsure of the process....

lydriver

when you go to view a property it's quite possible that others have been and could have made an offer, yes?

does the seller just keep accepting bookings for viewings even after they've had an offer that they are likely to accept?

is it common practice to ask the seller what offers they've had so you know how much you would need to offer to get the property?


or is it simply a case fo make an offer, hope it's high enough, and wait?

this is in Scotland if that makes any difference

davidmcn

Generally if there is more than one party ready to submit an offer then the selling agents will set a closing date (and tell you about it when you arrange the viewing).

If there is nobody else currently ready to offer then you are free to negotiate a price with the sellers.

flashg67

I always ask what offers have been made - won't always get the truth, or even any answer, but no harm in asking!

lydriver

so is it never the case that if you went to see a property and really liked it then you could offer whatever was needed and get your offer accepted there and then?

was just reading the FTB guide on here http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/buying-a-home-timeline#scotland

didn't realise you need a solicitor/conveyancer to put in an offer for you, I just thought you made the offer to the estate agents/seller

davidmcn

lydriver wrote: »

so is it never the case that if you went to see a property and really liked it then you could offer whatever was needed and get your offer accepted there and then?

You can try verbally agreeing a price with the seller (or the agent) if you like, but less likely to be worthwhile if it's a property which is likely to go to a closing date (you'll get a feel from the local maket whether that's likely). And you'd be expected to follow it up with a written offer from your solicitor pretty much immediately.

Probably best if you get a solicitor lined up and chat to them about the process first.

Pixie5740

You've been watching too much Location, Location, Location.

Making an offer in Scotland is a much more formal process than in rUK. Find yourself a solicitor and then start making offers. You don't want to end up finding somewhere you like, it going to closing and not being able to do anything about it.

Have you also got an AIP sorted out?

lydriver

I'm still at the looking/deciding where to live/how much to spend stage but going to have to get all this sorted out fairly soon

I got an AIP from Nationwide over 3 months ago but it's now expired

there was one place that had been on Zoopla for about a week, when I requested the home report I'm sure they said an offer had been accepted for it, no mention of a closing date - what happened there??

Pixie5740

Not all properties go to closing. That only tends to happen when there's a lot of interest in the property. If a property has been on the market for a while and someone comes along with a reasonable offer then it's unlikely to go to closing. A bird in the hand and all that.