Can You Offer on a House Before Yours Is Sold

Can You Offer on a House Before Yours Is Sold

Buying and selling property in the UK is rarely a simple process. It often involves balancing two sides of a transaction at once. For many homeowners looking to move, one of the biggest dilemmas is whether to start house hunting before their current property has sold. More specifically, many wonder whether they can or should put in an offer on a new home before they have secured a buyer for their own.

The short answer is yes, you can make an offer on a house before yours is sold. Estate agents are legally obliged to pass on all offers to the seller, regardless of your position in the chain. However, whether your offer will be taken seriously or accepted depends heavily on the circumstances and the strength of your position as a buyer.

Understanding how sellers and estate agents view offers from buyers who have not yet sold their home is essential to making a smart and strategic move. With careful timing and honest communication, it is possible to express interest in your next home while still progressing the sale of your current one.

The Importance of Being Proceedable

When estate agents describe a buyer as proceedable, they mean the buyer is in a position to move forward quickly. This usually means they have either sold their home and completed the sale or at the very least accepted an offer and instructed solicitors. Buyers who are not yet on the market or still waiting for a sale are often seen as higher risk by sellers who want certainty.

While you can offer on a home before selling your own, it is important to be realistic about how your position will be viewed. If the seller is in a hurry to move or already has a chain in place, they may prefer an offer from a buyer who is further along in the process. That said, if your offer is strong or the seller is not in a rush, they may be willing to wait.

The key is to be transparent. Let the agent know where you are in the process, how quickly you plan to market your own property and whether your finances are lined up to move quickly once your sale progresses. Sellers appreciate honesty, and being upfront builds trust even if your position is not perfect.

Making an Offer Before Listing Your Property

If you have not yet listed your home, making an offer on another property can still be worthwhile, especially if it helps you clarify your plans. However, you should expect the seller and their agent to ask whether your home is on the market and how likely it is to sell quickly.

In this situation, it helps to be prepared. Have your property ready to list, ideally with photography and floorplans completed. Show that you are serious about selling and have already spoken with estate agents. If the home is likely to attract strong interest, that can help convince the seller you will not hold up the process.

Some buyers make an offer conditional on selling their own home within a certain timeframe. This can help protect both sides, but sellers may still prefer buyers without such conditions. If the market is competitive, you may need to move fast or risk losing out to someone in a stronger position.

Making an Offer With a Sale Agreed

If you have accepted an offer on your own home and the buyer is moving forward with conveyancing, you are in a much stronger position to make an offer on your next home. Estate agents will view you as proceedable, even though your current sale is still ongoing.

At this point, you can negotiate more confidently. Let the selling agent know your chain position, including whether your buyer is a cash purchaser or has a mortgage in place. The shorter and more stable the chain, the more attractive you become to the seller.

It is still important to ensure your finances are lined up. Having a mortgage agreement in principle and a solicitor instructed will reassure the seller that you are ready to move quickly once your own sale completes.

What Sellers Think About Buyers With Property to Sell

From a seller’s perspective, every offer is weighed up based on a combination of price, position and reliability. While a buyer who has sold their home or is chain free may be the ideal, sellers are often willing to accept offers from those still in the process of selling if the price is right and there is confidence in their ability to progress quickly.

In slower markets or for properties that have been on the market for some time, sellers may be more open to flexible buyers, even if they have not yet sold. In hotter markets, where demand is high, sellers may have the luxury of picking buyers in the best position.

This makes communication key. If you can demonstrate that your home is likely to sell quickly, that you are committed and well prepared, and that your finances are secure, many sellers will be open to your offer, even if your sale is not complete.

How to Improve Your Chances

If you are serious about moving and want to offer on a home before selling your current one, the most important thing you can do is prepare. Speak to an estate agent about listing your home, get a mortgage agreement in principle and have a solicitor ready to act. These steps show that you are not just browsing, but taking real steps toward your move.

Another approach is to consider bridging finance, which allows you to buy a new home before your current property sells. This is only suitable for some buyers due to the cost and complexity, but it can help in situations where timing is critical. Always take independent financial advice before exploring this option.

In many cases, simply marketing your property first and getting a sale agreed before making an offer is the most straightforward and cost effective path. If you find your dream home before that happens, it is still worth making an offer, but do so with clarity and realism about what comes next.