Broc
Broc is the badger behind trybroc.io — "broc" is Old English for badger. While the estate agent speaks in superlatives, Broc speaks in evidence: sold comparables, days on the market, price history and the quiet signals of seller pressure. Calm, grounded and firmly on the buyer's side, Broc turns the noise of a property search into a number you can defend — and the words to defend it with.
Guides by Broc
How Far Below Asking Price Can You Offer?
You can offer as far below asking as the evidence supports — there's no legal limit. In a typical UK market, achieved prices run a few percent under asking; on stale or overpriced listings, 10%+ is realistic. The ceiling on how low you go is set by demand for that specific home, not by etiquette.
Making an Offer on a House: UK Step-by-Step
You make an offer on a UK house by telling the estate agent — verbally then in writing — how much you'll pay and on what terms. Have your deposit, mortgage agreement-in-principle and solicitor ready, because a "proceedable" buyer with proof of funds beats a higher offer that can't move. Here's the full sequence.
What Is a 'Cheeky Offer' — and When Does It Work?
A "cheeky offer" is a deliberately low bid — usually 10% or more below asking. It works when the evidence backs it: an overpriced home, one that's sat unsold for months, or one that needs work. It fails when it's just a low number with no reason behind it.
The UK House Buying Process: Full Timeline
Buying a house in England typically takes around 8–12 weeks from offer accepted to completion, though chains and surveys can stretch it. The stages: offer accepted → solicitor instructed → searches and survey → mortgage offer → exchange (the binding moment) → completion. Here's the full timeline.
Can You Back Out of an Offer on a House?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you can back out of a house offer any time before exchange of contracts, with no legal penalty — though you may lose money spent on surveys, searches and legal fees. After exchange, withdrawing means losing your deposit and possibly more.
How to Negotiate House Price: 7 Scripts That Work
Negotiating a house price is mostly about what you say to the agent and when. Lead with evidence, make the agent carry your reasoning to the seller, and always pair a number with a justification. Here are seven scripts — for the opening offer, the counter, the "best and final", and the walk-away — you can use verbatim.
Is the House Overpriced? 7 Data Checks Before You Bid
A house is overpriced when the asking price runs ahead of what comparable homes have actually sold for. You can check this yourself in minutes: compare sold prices (not other asking prices), work out £ per square foot, read the listing's price history, and look at how long it's been on the market. Here are the seven checks.
Offer Accepted — What Happens Next?
Once your offer is accepted, the property is marked "sold subject to contract" and the legal and financial work begins: instruct a solicitor, apply for your mortgage, book a survey, and wait on searches. Nothing is binding until exchange, so the goal now is to move quickly and keep the chain calm.
Days on the Market: Why It Matters
Days on the market (DOM) is how long a property has been listed for sale. It's one of the clearest signals of negotiating room: a home that's sat unsold for months is usually telling you it's priced too high — which strengthens a below-asking offer backed by that fact.
How Much Should You Offer on a House?
As a rule, open 5–10% below asking on a typical UK home that's priced near the market — but the right opening offer is set by evidence, not a flat percentage. Anchor it to recent comparable sales, how long the property has sat, and how much pressure the seller is under. Below, the four checks that turn a guess into a number you can defend.