How do I make my house offer stand out? (2023)

How can I increase my chances of getting an offer on a house?

The trick to putting in a cheeky offer that is 15% below the asking price is to look at the number of days the property has stayed on the market. Properties that have been on the market for less than 3 months are seen as being fresh, so such a cheeky offer could end up being offensive.

The best way to present an offer is: the cover letter, the purchase offer, and the earnest money deposit. An important item for a salesperson to bring when presenting an offer is: give the buyers a counteroffer.

But do sellers always accept the highest offer? The short answer is no. While the offer price is certainly one of the main things the seller will look at, it's not the only thing that matters. Savvy sellers (and sellers with smart Realtors) know that they need to consider the entire offer, not just the price.

Asking for a highest and best offer might push the buyer closer to your target sales price, because it shows there's real interest in the property. In negotiations, buyers won't typically start with their highest offer with the goal of leaving a little wiggle room.

A good rule of thumb though is to offer 5% to 10% lower than the asking price. Don't forget that sellers often take this into account and deliberately put their house on the market for more than they expect or would accept.

Is 90 of asking price a good offer?

If it's low—say, less than 21 days—you'll need a strong offer. If it's been on the market for more than 90 days, though, then it's okay to present a low offer. FYI, 90 percent of the asking price would be considered low, McGill says.

In a hot market, experts recommended offering at least 1% to 3% above the asking price in a bidding war. But today's home buyers may face less competition. In June 2022, the average home actually sold for about 1% below its list price, according to Redfin.

“A cash offer is usually more appealing than a finance offer as the seller doesn't need to worry about whether the bank will approve your loan,” says Sam Heskel, president of Nadlan Valuation, an appraisal management company in Brooklyn, New York.

As with all negotiations, when you are making an offer on a house, start low. A good rule of thumb though is to offer 5% to 10% lower than the asking price. Don't forget that sellers often take this into account and deliberately put their house on the market for more than they expect or would accept.

Disclosing offers on a property. An Estate Agent must disclose all offers to a Seller promptly and in writing. Furthermore, The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme requires agents to confirm with the potential buyer that their offer has been forwarded to the Seller.

How do you win a bidding war on a house UK?

Make The Highest Offer

Traditionally, the best way to win a bidding war is to offer the most money. Although the highest offer isn't always the one that the seller chooses, money does talk. Under no circumstances should you throw caution to the wind and ignore your budget.

Research the market, know your budget, and make sure you have all the information you need to make a winning offer. Most importantly, get pre-approved for financing. Your offer will look a lot better to the seller with proof in-hand that you can afford the home.

In general, it's best to offer 4-8% below the asking price on a house, assuming its asking price is close to the fair market value. This will give you some room to negotiate while not insulting the seller with a low-ball offer.

“The rule I've always followed is to never go more than 25% below the listed price,” he says. “Chances are, after fees, commission, and sentimental value, the sellers are already hurting. If you dip below that point, they may disregard your offer entirely.”

The rule of thumb is usually between 5 and 10 percent of the home price. Bear in mind that you could lose the money if the deal falls through, so it's important not to put up so much that you'd be ruined if you lost the cash.

Asking for a highest and best offer might push the buyer closer to your target sales price, because it shows there's real interest in the property. In negotiations, buyers won't typically start with their highest offer with the goal of leaving a little wiggle room.

Answer: The short answer is no. There's no way to get absolute proof of another offer, except when an Escalation Addendum is used (which I'll address later), but there are strategies to help determine how legitimate a listing agent's claim of multiple offers is.

In conclusion, yes, real estate agents can lie about offers. However, it is more likely they are using vague “sales speak” or being upfront about a specific proposal. It is up to you to discover which, retain control over your purchasing and to act in your own best interests.