February 4, 2026
How To Negotiate A Property Purchase
You’ve just found the home of your dreams, and you’re eager to make offers – it’s an exciting time! But negotiating a property purchase is a delicate balance, one you’ll want to get right.
Nailing the right negotiation can be the difference between leaving your estate agents with the keys to your new forever home and starting the househunting process from scratch. Every property is unique, as is the approach we take to negotiating the right price.
To help, we’ll explore what house price negotiation is, a few expert tips to help you get it right, and what to avoid.
What Is House Price Negotiation?
A house price negotiation is when the buyer of the house and the person selling the property work out a price point that both parties are happy with.
Usually, this happens through the estate agents. The potential buyer will discuss a price with their estate agent. This price is taken to the listing agent, who will then bring it to the seller to see if it’s accepted.
Offers are based on a variety of factors, including property condition, market research, and location. Understanding these is the best place to start to ensure you get the best price.
Is It Acceptable to Haggle on House Prices?
Yes, haggling on house prices is acceptable. In fact, haggling is often expected in most markets.
However, if you are offering lower than the listing price, you need to be sure you have a justification for it. Going in with an unrealistic, unreasonable price risks insulting the seller, resulting in you losing the property.
10 Expert Tips for Negotiating on a Property Purchase
Negotiating a price on a house can feel daunting, especially if you’ve got your heart set on one being your forever home.
Here at Liam Gretton, you get access to a team of Certified Advanced Negotiators who help you navigate the property purchasing process. To ensure you get the best deal possible, we’ve got some expert tips to kick things off on the right foot.
1. Start Strong
The first offer you make sets the tone for the rest of the negotiation. So, you’ll want to start off strong.
Typically, around 5% to 10% below the asking price is a good place to start, as it shows the seller you’re serious about purchasing the property. Plus, it gives you wiggle room to increase the price as you negotiate.
2. Be Polite
The last thing you want to do is give the seller the wrong impression of you. As such, it’s always best to be polite with your offer and the way you present it to the seller.
For example, you don’t want your opening offer to be so low that it risks offending the seller, as they may choose to reject any other future offer as well. Make sure any written offer is friendly, professional, and realistic.
EXPERT INSIGHT: Including small anecdotes on why you want the house, as well as parts of the property you love, can help build a good rapport with the seller.
3. Have Realistic Expectations
Having realistic expectations is important throughout the whole process of negotiating a house price.
It’s common for one or two offers to be rejected during negotiations with the seller. If you go into it with realistic expectations, then you can help avoid disappointment and feelings of upset. Always remember, house price negotiation is about reaching a price both you and the seller are happy with.
4. Stick to Your Limit
It’s easy to get carried away with house price negotiations, especially if your dream property is receiving a lot of offers.
Knowing your limits and sticking to them is crucial to avoiding offering a price that is unrealistic, unattainable, and out of your budget. Set your limit with your estate agent before entering negotiations, and make sure you don’t go above it.
5. Offer Flexibility
While it’s important to set your limits, there’s nothing wrong with being a bit flexible on pricing. In fact, it can be the difference between a rejected offer and an accepted one.
For example, you may receive a counteroffer from the seller that is a bit more money than your initial offer, but with the move-in-date pushed forward. If you can afford the extra money, then this is a great way to build a good bond with the seller, helping seal the deal on your future home.
6. Have a Justification
If you do go in with an offer that’s below the asking price, then you need to be sure you can justify it. Especially if it’s a significant reduction.
Homes that have been on the market for a long time may justify a lower price point, or if the property needs a lot of work to be done to it to make it livable. Always offer a polite justification in your offer to avoid offending the seller.
7. Show Your Intent
You want the seller to know you have real intentions of buying the property, and that you’re serious about negotiating the best deal for you both.
One way to do this is to include a Mortgage in Principle within your offer. Not only does this build confidence and credibility in your offer, but it can also help speed up and streamline the buying process.
EXPERT INSIGHT: Getting a Mortgage in Principle shouldn’t impact your credit score, as most lenders will do a soft credit check when creating it.
8. Communicate Properly
Clear, objective, rational communication is crucial to the home negotiation process. You don’t want your offer to get lost in confusing wording and lengthy paragraphs. As such, it’s a good idea to make sure any communication between you and the seller is as direct as possible, to ensure your offer is understood.
9. Build a Good Rapport
Building a good rapport with the seller of the property helps you secure the home of your dreams – following all of our tips above will help you do this. Generally, it’s best to take the guidance of your estate agent, as they’ll have all the relevant experience to ensure a positive outcome.
10. Know When to Walk Away
We know it can feel overwhelming when all of your offers keep coming back rejected. As such, it’s crucial you know when to walk away.
Sometimes, sellers just aren’t willing to budge on their asking price, meaning you end up sending in counteroffer after counteroffer, just to leave disappointed. Remember, there are always more properties to explore. It’s always best to walk away before making an offer that you may later regret.
What Happens After a Property Price is Agreed?
You’ve just received the news that your offer has been accepted – congratulations! But what happens now? Let’s take a look.
Typically, there are six steps following the acceptance of your offer by the seller.
Step 1: Ask the Seller to Remove the Property From the Market
Once your offer has been accepted by the seller, make sure the property is removed from any listings.
You may need a Mortgage in Principle to do this, while others may request your solicitor’s details first. Having the property removed ensures another prospective buyer offering a higher figure, leading to your offer being rejected (gazumping).
Step 2: Fill Out Your Mortgage Application
If you’re taking out a mortgage for the property, then make sure your complete application is submitted.
To do this, you’ll likely need ID, proof of address, a payslip or tax return, as well as any recent bank statements and utility bills. Keep in mind, this can take a few weeks to receive, so make sure to submit it with plenty of time.
Step 3: Appoint Your Conveyancing Solicitor
A conveyancing solicitor is responsible for different legal aspects required following the acceptance of an offer. Typically, they will take care of:
- Drafting contracts and reviewing the
- Performing local authority searches
- Dealing with the transfer of funds
- Liasing with Land Registry
- Providing legal advice
Step 4: Arrange a Property Survey
A property survey looks for any potential issues with the structure and maintenance of the property. Typically, this is done in three stages, with stage one being a basic overview, stage two looking for visible issues, and stage three providing a more detailed, thorough inspection.
Step 5: Sign the Contracts
Now it’s time to exchange and sign the contracts! You’ll need to pay a deposit with this, which is usually 10% of the agreed property price. Plus, you’ll agree on a completion date that works for both you and the seller.
Once signed, the agreement is legally binding, meaning neither your or the seller can back out without paying fees.
Step 6: Move Into Your New Home
Once the completion day comes around, ownership of the house is officially transferred, meaning you’re able to collect the keys and move into your new home!
What To Avoid When Negotiating a Property Purchase
At the start of this blog, we said negotiating a house price is a delicate process. As such, there are things you may wish to avoid.
For example, it can be beneficial to highlight areas of the property that may require work, as this can help justify a lower offer. However, you don’t want to be aggressive or insulting.
Avoid using ultimatums or phrases like ‘this is my final offer’, as this can put off the seller, leading them to simply stop any communication.
The best way to get the result you’re after is to follow the guidance from your estate agent, as they’ll know the most professional way go about house price negotiation.
Secure Your Dream Home at a Fair Price
Here at Liam Gretton, we’re passionate about making sure all of our clients secure the home of their dreams for the best possible price.
Our purchase negotiation service guides you through the whole process with ease, clarity, and care. So, you can simply enjoy the search for your future home, without added worry or stress. Contact us today to see how we can help you.
You can reach up via phone on 0151 662 0312 or send a WhatsApp message to +44 7542 922546. Alternatively, you can send us an email to hello@liamgretton.co.uk or fill out our online form for a callback.
Liam is the founder of Liam Gretton – Wirral Estate Agent and has a vast experience in both buying and selling homes on the Wirral. His expertise has led him to become one of the Wirral’s leading estate agents.
