Making an Offer on a House: What You Need to Know

Buying a home is one of the biggest steps you’ll ever take, and making an offer is where things start to feel real. The housing market is always changing — from shifts in property prices to mortgage rate movements and updates to stamp duty — so it’s important to feel confident before making your move.

But how do you actually make an offer on a house, and what should you look out for when negotiating? At Turtle Mortgages, we know this part of the journey can feel a little daunting, so here’s our guide to help you approach it with confidence.

Step One: Get Prepared

Before you think about making an offer, a little prep goes a long way.

Check local prices: Look at what similar homes are selling for in the area, not just what they’re listed for. If properties are hanging around on the market or selling below asking, you may have more room to negotiate.

Get a Mortgage in Principle (MIP): This shows how much you’re likely to be able to borrow and proves to estate agents and sellers that you’re serious. You can get one for free through Turtle Mortgages — and it’ll put you in a much stronger position when you’re ready to make your offer. Feel free to read our other blogs on what a Mortgage In Principle (MIP) is!

Step Two: Decide How Much to Offer

There are two common strategies:

Go in strong: If you don’t want to risk losing out or think there will be lots of interest, making your best offer upfront could be the way to go.

Start a little lower: Offering 5–10% below asking can leave room to negotiate, especially if the property’s been on the market for a while.

Step Three: Negotiate Smart

Negotiating doesn’t have to feel stressful. A few tips that work well:

If you’re a first-time buyer, cash buyer, or chain-free, make sure the agent knows. Sellers love certainty and speed.

Don’t reveal your maximum budget to the estate agent.

Stay calm and polite — never let emotions lead the conversation.

Don’t get swayed by extras like white goods or furniture unless they really matter to you.

Step Four: Making the Offer

Once you’ve decided on your number, tell the estate agent. By law they have to pass your offer to the seller, but it’s always worth following up in writing too. Highlight your position (for example, first-time buyer, MIP in place, no chain) to make your offer more attractive.

What Happens Next?

• If your offer’s accepted: Congratulations! Next steps include instructing a solicitor, arranging a survey, and completing your mortgage application.
• If your offer’s rejected: Don’t panic. You can either increase your offer or keep looking for the right place.

In some cases you might come across sealed bids, where all offers are submitted at the same time. If this happens, don’t overbid, but do consider adding a few pounds (like £250,050 instead of £250,000) to stand out.

Making an offer can feel like deep waters, but with the right preparation you’ll be in a strong position to secure your dream home. Remember, every seller and every property is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach — it’s about finding the balance between what you can afford and what feels right for you.

At Turtle Mortgages, we’ll guide you through the whole process, from getting your Mortgage in Principle to helping you secure the right deal. And because we don’t charge any fees, you can move forward knowing you’re getting clear, honest advice without extra costs.

Sounds good, right? All you need to do is book a call with us.