Offers & negotiation
How to decide your number and hold it — offers, scripts, and the leverage the listing is hiding.
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.
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.
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.