Finding a property you want to buy is only part of the process. Before you can move forward with a mortgage application, you’ll first need to make an offer through the estate agent.

While making an offer is relatively straightforward, deciding how much to offer and understanding what happens afterwards can raise plenty of questions.

Knowing how the process works can help you prepare for the next stage of buying a home.

It’s a stage of the home buying process we regularly help customers through in Manchester. Understanding what’s expected before you make an offer can help keep your purchase moving once you’ve found the right property.

Get an Agreement in Principle

If you’re buying with a mortgage, arranging an agreement in principle (AIP) is one of the best ways to prepare before making an offer.

An Agreement in Principle gives you an indication of how much you may be able to borrow based on the information you’ve provided to a mortgage lender.

Although it isn’t a guarantee that your mortgage application will be approved, it can demonstrate to estate agents and sellers that you’ve already taken the first steps towards arranging your mortgage.

It’s also worth making sure your deposit is ready before you start making offers. While some mortgages are available with a 5% deposit, others require 10% or more, depending on the lender and the type of mortgage.

Understanding how much you’ll need before you find a property can help you plan your budget and move forward more quickly if your offer is accepted.

Estate agents also have a legal responsibility to carry out identity and anti-money laundering checks.

As part of this process, they may ask to see photographic ID and proof of where your deposit has come from before progressing your offer.

Deciding How Much to Offer

There’s no fixed rule for deciding how much to offer on a property. The asking price gives you a starting point, but it isn’t always the price a property will eventually sell for.

Looking at similar properties, how long the home has been on the market, and the level of interest from other buyers can all help you decide what you’re comfortable offering.

Some buyers choose to make their strongest offer from the outset, particularly if the property is attracting plenty of interest. Others prefer to leave some room for negotiation if their first offer isn’t accepted.

Whatever approach you take, your offer should always fit within your budget. Offering more than you’re comfortable paying can create difficulties later, especially if your mortgage lender values the property differently.

Making Your Offer

Once you’ve decided how much you’d like to offer, you’ll usually contact the estate agent responsible for selling the property. They’ll pass your offer on to the seller and explain your position as a buyer.

If you’re a first-time buyer, already have an Agreement in Principle, or aren’t part of a property chain, it’s worth making this clear when you submit your offer.

Sellers often look at more than just the amount being offered, particularly if they’re hoping for a straightforward sale.

The seller can then choose to accept your offer, reject it, or come back with a counter-offer. If negotiations continue, the estate agent will usually act as the go-between until an agreement has been reached.

Your Offer Has Been Accepted

Once your offer has been accepted, the property is usually marked as Sold Subject to Contract (SSTC).

Although this is an exciting stage, it’s important to remember that the purchase isn’t legally binding yet. Either party can still withdraw from the sale until contracts have been exchanged.

This is usually the point where you’ll submit your full mortgage application if you haven’t already done so.

Your lender will arrange a mortgage valuation, your solicitor will begin the conveyancing process, and you’ll normally decide whether to arrange a property survey.

Responding promptly to requests from your lender and solicitor can help keep your purchase progressing smoothly.

What if Another Buyer Makes an Offer?

Until contracts have been exchanged, a seller can still accept another offer if they choose to.

This is known as gazumping, and while it doesn’t happen in every purchase, it’s one of the reasons buyers often try to keep the process moving once an offer has been accepted.

Returning documents quickly, responding to your solicitor, and progressing your mortgage application without delay can all help reduce the risk of unnecessary hold-ups.

Moving Towards Completion

Making an offer is only the beginning of the home buying process. Once your offer has been accepted, the focus turns to arranging your mortgage, completing the legal work, and preparing to exchange contracts.

If you’ve found a property and you’re ready to make an offer, get in touch with our mortgage advisors in Manchester.

We’ll help you secure a mortgage that’s suited to your purchase and support you through each stage of the buying process until completion.

Date Last Edited: September 9, 2026