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Stage 3 of 10Find your home·A day to two weeks

How to make an offer on a UK property — what to say and how much

How to negotiate, what to ask the agent, what conditions to attach, and how to protect yourself from gazumping before contracts exchange.

Typical timescale
A day to two weeks
Approximate cost
£0 to offer, plus £20–£60 for AML ID checks
When in the journey
Phase 2 of 4 — Find your home

What happens at this stage

You offer, often go back and forth, get accepted, and the listing is marked Sold Subject to Contract. Not legally binding yet.

What to do, in order

  1. 1Look up recent sold prices for the postcode on Land Registry (free).
  2. 2Make a written offer with conditions (off-market, fixtures included).
  3. 3Ask the seller to take it off the market once accepted.

Watch out for

  • Gazumping — until contracts exchange, the seller can accept a higher offer.
  • Anti-money-laundering checks. £20–£60 from most estate agents.
  • Forgetting to negotiate fixtures and fittings (curtains, white goods).

Frequently asked

How much under asking price should I offer?
Common starting offers are 5–10% below asking, but it depends on demand. In a slow market, 10–15% is reasonable; in a hot market, asking or above is sometimes needed.
What is gazumping and can I prevent it?
Gazumping is when another buyer offers more and the seller accepts after yours was already accepted. You can't fully prevent it, but asking for the property to be taken off the market as a condition of your offer helps.
Is a verbal offer binding?
No. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, neither side is legally bound until contracts exchange. Always follow up a verbal offer with a written one for clarity.

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Last updated: 1 July 2026 · Clinkeys is not a regulated advisor. For binding decisions, always confirm with a solicitor, broker, or surveyor.