How to make an offer on a private sale property

You like the look of the property you have just viewed and have already started working out where the couch will go, but how do you make an offer?

Here are some ways to make an offer on your dream home.

Tell the seller

Let the seller know either in person, via email, text message or by using HomeSell's non-binding 'Expression of interest' form that you are interested in buying their property at x price with x conditions. The most common conditions are solicitors approval of LIM and Title, and confirmation of acceptable finance, however you can add in any conditions you wish provided the seller is happy to accept them.

If the seller wishes to accept or consider your offer further, then you'll need to complete a formal Sale & Purchase Agreement with your lawyer. This is then forwarded to the seller's lawyer, who will request that they go in and sign or counter offer. Simple!

Speak with your lawyer

If you don’t feel comfortable talking about the price with the seller, then you can go straight to your lawyer with the details on this brochure and complete a formal Sale & Purchase agreement. This will then be sent to the seller’s lawyer who will notify their client that an offer has been received. Depending on the interest level for the property and the price offered, the sellers may immediately sign or counter offer back to your lawyer. This process continues until you reach an agreement or decide not to continue any further.

Other points to consider:

1. We advise that both the buyer and seller seek legal advice before signing a Sale & Purchase Agreement or any written document.
2. There may be two or more keen buyers for the property so the owners will want to be in the position where they can consider both/all the offers at the same time and choose the offer that best suits. This in effect becomes a ‘semi-tender’ situation where you are asked to state the highest price you are prepared to offer and any conditions you want met. The sellers will then consider both/all offers at the same time with their lawyer and may negotiate further with one party on the price or conditions, or accept the most suitable offer straight away.
3. Some property sales are done in ten minutes while others take quite a period of negotiation. Once an offer has been made it remains ‘live’ until it is accepted, counter offered or withdrawn. It is courteous to respond to all offers/negotiations within 24 hours or an agreed time frame.

There is no one right way to deal with the process of buying or selling a property, so choose the style that suits you best. Your lawyer will be able to help you with any step in the process. If you don’t have a lawyer then the firms advertised in HomeSell are excellent and very willing to help you.