can you make an offer if your own house isn't up for sale yet?

jackieb

I'd be grateful for any advice please. Last week a house nearby came up for sale. My OH works abroad and saw it online, and told me to book a viewing, which I did. I saw it on Friday and took my sister with me. It's ideal for us. My OH really wants to put in an offer even though he hasn't seen it! He says he trusts me. He won't be home until the middle of February. The problem is that we weren't sure if we were going to move or extend (we got planning permission for an extension last November). But if we extend our house, it still won't really be big enough for us. So our house isn't ready to be put on the market. There's a few jobs for my OH to do, so realistically it wouldn't be ready to put on the market until the end of February.Houses are selling really quickly here (in Scotland), and I don't doubt we'll get ours sold in a matter of weeks either.I don't have much of a clue about buying and selling, as we bought this house from the local authority 13 years ago - so no real experience of buying or selling there. I've already been to the bank (last November) and was told we'd have no problem getting a mortgage. I'm going to phone and make another appointment tomorrow. Do I need to ask for a mortgage in principle or something? Can we put an offer on the house even if our own one isn't on the market yet? Houses are really scarce here. One was put up for sale last week at offers over £249k and it was under offer within the week - and it'll probably go for around £270k. You can tell which houses won't be on long in selling. Quite a few have a closing date put on them too.

PasturesNew

You can make an offer, but you aren't in a proceedable position. So the seller might not take you seriously as you have a long way to go before you can buy their house.

Rather than booking a 2nd viewing - and getting your hopes up, hopes of the seller, you'd be better off getting estate agents round to value your house and getting a mortgage in principle agreed.

If it were me, I'd spend the next two weeks getting my house valued and the mortgage in principle sorted out. Then if those are OK, arranging for a 2nd viewing when your OH gets back.

Speak to the estate agent and let them know that you are interested and are putting your house on the market (get them to come and price it for you) and that you wish to arrange a 2nd viewing when your husband is back in the country. That way you've staked a good and clear interest in the property.

jackieb

Thanks (I tried to thank you but it won't let me!) I appreciate your advice. It makes sense. I don't want to seem too keen either. I did tell the couple selling the house that my OH was out of the country. What scares me is that house that went for sale last week and was under offer in a matter of days.When does a house go to a closing date? Is that when more than one person shows an interest in the property? There's been quite a few houses that's gone to a closing date recently as well. I really hope it doesn't go to sealed bids though.

chappers

You are in scotland so things are a bit different once both parties have agreed that an offer is acceptable and solicitors have made contact then the vendor must accept no further offers.likewise the purchaser must carry the purchase through(unless surveys etc show up something significant). Closing dates are set when a party expresses an interest but are not a legal requirement. When more than one party shows an interest a closing date may be set for formal offers, a vendor is not obliged to take any of the offers but if one is accepted then no further offers can be entertained after the closing
date.
Then there is selling at a fixed price , I'm not totally sure on this but I think that if the asking price is met or exceded then the vendor is obliged to sell.
Have a look here http://www.lawscot.org.uk/Members_Information/rules_and_guidance/guides/Rules/ClosingDates/close_date.aspx

jackieb

Thanks for your help, chappers.