How long do we give a seller to respond to an offer?

lyndssaunders

I'm looking for a bit of advice. Last week we put in an offer for a house (we are based in Scotland). We put in the full home report value in and have since accepted an offer on our flat, which has no chain and likely to progress quickly. My question is how long do we give the seller to respond - we put the offer in last Thursday morning, the EA said it was a good offer and theyd speak to the seller. We chased it up on Friday but they still had no instructions so gave the weekend, expecting to hear back today. Our solicitor phoned them again this morning, and they said theyd phone the seller - it's now the end of the day and still nothing meaning its now been nearly 5 days since the offer went in and we have heard nothing. How would you deal with this? Say we want an answer by end of the day tomorrow and risk losing it or keep waiting?



Thanks

TheGardener

As its Scotland - is there a chance they are planning to go to sealed bids? Its possible if they have had more than 1 offer.
The other possibility of course at this time of year is that the sellers are simply on holiday?

Thrugelmir

Perhaps they are other viewings over the weekend. Waiting to see the outcome.

lyndssaunders

Thank you, seller not on holiday as he done the viewing.


We did think he's maybe trying to get another offer/note of interest in so they can go to a closing date, however there has been no mention of any other offers when solicitor has spoken to the EA, Im assuming they would have to let us know?

Smi1er

I'd start looking at other places

Davesnave

I'd give them ten minutes. When I watch Kirstie and Phil negotiating on TV, it never takes longer than that, judging by the amount left in Phil's beer glass.

moneyistooshorttomention

Personally - I'd keep looking until such time as I had had my offer accepted - in case it wasnt accepted.

I'm guessing I'd give a vendor a week to accept(in my own head). Certainly no more than 2 weeks (ditto in my own head). After that time I'd mentally write them off and think "Obviously they have decided not to accept my offer - but aren't going to be courteous enough to tell me so".

Smodlet

Davesnave wrote: »

I'd give them ten minutes. When I watch Kirstie and Phil negotiating on TV, it never takes longer than that, judging by the amount left in Phil's beer glass.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Davesnave however, I can see two possible flaws in your theory: 1) He's a lightweight and 2) He has to spend all day with that godawful woman so is gasping for a drink.

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Personally - I'd keep looking until such time as I had had my offer accepted - in case it wasnt accepted.

I'm guessing I'd give a vendor a week to accept(in my own head). Certainly no more than 2 weeks (ditto in my own head). After that time I'd mentally write them off and think "Obviously they have decided not to accept my offer - but aren't going to be courteous enough to tell me so".

"In your own head", Money? One wonders in what other location...

It's Scotland and none of we Sassenachs know t'other from which about how they do these things up there. Where are davidmcn, Pixie, et al?

jennifernil

Has your solicitor submitted a formal offer to the seller's solicitor? If so they should be stating how long the offer will remain open for.

As Thrugelmir said, they may be waiting for feedback from weekend viewings in case they need to go to sealed bids.

Depending on the area in which you are buying, even full home report value may not be enough to secure the property.

martindow

Davesnave wrote: »

I'd give them ten minutes. When I watch Kirstie and Phil negotiating on TV, it never takes longer than that, judging by the amount left in Phil's beer glass.

Are you sure it's the same glass? He might have been knocking back pints for hours.

csgohan4

look for another house with the same Estate agent to apply some pressure