Written offer branded too 'formal' and offputting!

shortcrust

I think if you'd offered the asking price and topped the next highest offer by a few thousand your approach would have been ok but all you've done is match an offer that's 6% under the asking price. I wouldn't be impressed if I were the seller.

kingstreet

Thinnest-skinned estate agent I think I've ever heard of...

shortcrust

Think about it this way. These absolutely nothing to be gained by mentioning subject to contract, stop viewings etc in the offer email because these are standard things that don't need discussing at that stage. If there's even a tiny chance they might be off-putting then it makes sense to leave them out.

I can't imagine the EA personally cares about this. I suspect it's genuine feedback/advice.

davidmcn

To put another perspective on it, normal procedure in Scotland is for the offer to be a full contractual offer issued by your solicitor - but even that doesn't usually say anything about stopping marketing etc. It's just expected.

Jumblebumble

I think you dodged a bullet here
I would take the view that anyone who thinks an offer is too formal does not want to sell or is likely to gazump etc

JumbleBumble

quantumlobster

Never mind all the "too formal" stuff. It's a distraction.

The key point here is that they didn't say "sod off". They gave you some blather about attractiveness.

You're on par with another buyer. You have a couple of options here.

Personally I think that you're at the point where he who speaks next, loses. So you should hold your nerve.

However, there is a confounding factor - the other buyer. To eliminate them from the equation you must increase your offer by a small but not-taking-the-pee amount - say, a couple or three percent. Or just go to the asking, if you can afford it.

In your position, if I were in any way a bit "meh" about this house, I'd not blink. But if you really, really want this property? Eh, up your offer and get it bought.