Can You Offer on a House Before Yours Is Sold

Yes, you can offer on a house before your current property is sold. In fact, many UK buyers do so, especially in competitive markets where desirable homes move quickly. However, making an offer while still trying to sell your own home can complicate the process and may affect how your offer is received by the seller. Whether your offer is accepted often depends on your position in the property chain and the seller’s appetite for risk or delay.

Making an offer before selling your own house is a strategic decision that involves weighing opportunity against uncertainty. It is entirely legal and possible, but it carries consequences that may influence how smoothly your purchase goes.

Understanding the Property Chain

When you offer on a property while still marketing your own, you are part of a longer property chain. This means your ability to buy is dependent on someone else agreeing to buy your home first. Sellers and estate agents typically prefer buyers who are chain-free, such as first-time buyers or cash purchasers, because they represent fewer complications and delays.

If your own house is not yet under offer, you are likely to be seen as a weaker buyer. Some sellers may still accept your offer, especially if they are in no rush to move or if your offer is particularly attractive, but others may choose to wait for a more secure buyer.

Can a Seller Accept Your Offer Without a Sale Agreed on Yours?

Yes, a seller can accept your offer regardless of whether your property is sold. However, they are under no legal obligation to take the house off the market. In many cases, the seller will continue to allow viewings and entertain other offers until you secure a buyer for your home.

This puts your offer in a vulnerable position. If a stronger buyer comes along while you are still trying to sell, the seller may withdraw from your agreement or accept a higher offer. This is known as gazumping and is a legal but frustrating aspect of property transactions in England and Wales.

What Is the Best Way to Proceed?

If you want to make an offer before selling, it helps to be as prepared as possible. Ensure your own home is on the market, priced realistically and attracting viewings. Being under offer or in receipt of an offer yourself will significantly strengthen your negotiating power when bidding on your onward purchase.

Speak to your estate agent and solicitor to let them know your intentions. If the seller is open to your offer, ask whether they would be willing to give you a few weeks to secure a buyer before considering other offers. Some sellers may grant you this grace period, particularly if the property has been slow to sell.

Having a mortgage agreement in principle also helps. It shows the seller you are financially ready to move, even if your current sale is still in progress.

Should You Make a Formal or Informal Offer?

You can choose to make a formal written offer through the estate agent or an informal verbal offer. Either way, you should be transparent about your position. Let the agent know your current home is on the market and how serious you are about selling quickly. Trying to disguise your situation may only cause frustration later if your sale takes longer than expected.

If your offer is accepted, you can ask the seller to mark the property as 'under offer' or 'sold subject to contract', but this is at their discretion. Until contracts are exchanged, either party can still withdraw.

What Are the Risks of Offering Early?

The biggest risk is disappointment. If your house fails to sell, or the chain collapses, you may have to withdraw from your purchase. This can waste time, strain relationships with estate agents and sellers, and potentially cost you money in survey or legal fees.

You may also find yourself under pressure to accept a lower offer on your own home in order to keep the chain moving, especially if your dream property is at risk.

However, the upside is that you may secure a property you love before it is snapped up by someone else. In fast-moving markets, waiting until your house is sold may mean missing out on desirable homes.

Conclusion

You can absolutely offer on a house before your current one is sold, and many buyers in the UK do just that. Success depends on your level of preparation, the seller’s circumstances and the strength of your position in the property chain. While there are risks involved, early offers can help you get ahead of the competition, provided you move quickly to sell your own home and keep communication open throughout the process.