You’re in the process of either listing your house, or it’s currently on the market but hasn’t yet found a buyer and then, both an amazing and horrifying thing happens: your dream home suddenly appears in the ideal location. What should you do in this scenario? Should you wait and risk losing it, or can you put an offer on a house before yours is sold to make sure you make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
The good news is, you can put in an offer before your current house is sold. However, there are several important things to bear in mind before you start throwing offers on the table for the one you simply can’t let get away.
In this guide, we’ll explain how making an offer on a property before you’ve accepted an offer on your own home works. We’ll explore what sellers expect and how to boost your chances of success, including how a cash buyer like Zapperty can help you move forward quickly and lessen the risk of missing out.
Can You Legally Make an Offer Before Selling?
Yes, you can. In the UK, making an offer on a house is not legally binding until contracts are exchanged. You can make an offer at any time, even if your own home isn’t on the market. It’s also known as a contingent or sale-contingent offer, and is fairly common practice. It’s something many estate agents will be used to, even if it may come as a bit of a surprise to inexperienced sellers.
However, there’s a catch:
- Sellers and estate agents will want to see evidence regarding how you plan to fund the purchase.
- If you’re relying on proceeds from your unsold home, they may see you as part of a property chain, which can feel risky to them.
Many sellers prefer chain‑free buyers because it reduces the chance of delays or fall‑throughs. That’s why homeowners often turn to a cash buyer like Zapperty, which allows you to sell your house fast, become chain‑free and make your offer far more competitive.
Do Sellers Accept Offers From Buyers Who Haven’t Sold?
When you make an offer on a property and you’re an existing homeowner, the first thing an estate agent will ask is, ‘Have you sold your house yet?’
They ask this because it immediately reveals to them how secure and straightforward your position is in the seller’s eyes.
Chain-free buyers, such as cash buyers or first‑time buyers, are usually considered the most attractive because it means there aren’t others in the chain who will potentially slow things down or, worst case scenario, screw up the whole thing altogether. This makes sellers much more confident about accepting their offer and moving towards exchange.
If you’re still in a chain, and you still need to sell your property before you can complete on the new one, sellers may be willing to accept your offer. However, they will usually continue to market the property and keep their options open, in case a stronger, chain‑free buyer comes along who can start to move forward. This can put you in a tricky position, especially if the property you’ve offered on is likely to draw a lot of interest.
For homeowners who want to remove this uncertainty, one option is to sell directly to a cash buyer. By selling through a service like Zapperty, you can complete the sale of your current home quickly – potentially within days – turning yourself into a chain‑free buyer. This instantly strengthens your position, gives the seller far more confidence in your offer, and significantly increases your chances of securing your dream home.
Your Options if You Haven’t Sold Yet
If you want to make an offer on a property but haven’t sold yours yet, there are four main options. Of course, some might be more appealing than others, especially if time isn’t on your side.
1. Wait until you’ve sold
The most obvious option is to hold off on making any offers until your current home has sold. It might be the most obvious, but it’s not always ideal, especially if you’re keen for the seller to take the property you want to buy off the market. However, this is the safest route financially because you’ll know exactly how much you have to spend and won’t risk being caught with two mortgages or unexpected costs. The main issue is with timing, because while you’re waiting for your sale to go through, another buyer could easily snap up the property you’ve set your heart on.
2. Use bridging finance
Bridging finance is a short‑term loan designed to cover the gap between buying a new property and selling your existing one. It allows you to act quickly and secure your next home without waiting for your sale to complete. That speed comes at a price: bridging loans tend to have higher interest rates and fees than standard mortgages, and they’re only meant to be in place for a few months. That means, if your sale takes longer than expected, costs can soon mount up, so it’s vital to go into this option with a clear repayment plan.
3. Port your mortgage
Some lenders offer the ability to ‘port’ your mortgage, meaning you transfer your current mortgage deal onto the new property. This can be useful if you’re on a competitive interest rate or have early repayment charges you want to avoid. However, porting isn’t always straightforward. Your lender will reassess your circumstances, the value of your new home and any extra borrowing you might need. The process can involve affordability checks and sometimes delays, so it’s worth discussing with your lender early on (which isn’t always possible in this scenario).
4. Sell to a cash buyer like Zapperty
If you want to move quickly and avoid the uncertainty of a property chain, selling to a cash buyer like Zapperty can be a strong solution. Zapperty will buy your home directly, often within days, removing the delays of traditional sales and mortgage approvals. By doing this, you instantly become a chain‑free buyer, which the vast majority of sellers love because it makes you a far safer bet. With the sale secured and no chain behind you, you can confidently offer on your dream home and have a far better chance of it being accepted.
Pros and Cons of Making an Early Offer
There are several pros and cons of making an early offer on a property:
| Pros | Cons |
| You might secure your dream home early | Risk of losing both homes if the timings clash |
| Shows commitment to the seller | Pressure to sell quickly |
| Can be an advantage in hot markets | Chain complications can delay or derail |
| Peace of mind if you already have a guaranteed sale lined up e.g., Zapperty | Extra stress of managing two transactions |
How to Improve Your Position
If you’re serious about buying before selling, preparation is key. Here are four ways to improve your position for making an early offer on a property.
1. Get your home on the market early
If you want to make an offer before selling your current property, one of the best steps you can take is to list your home as soon as possible. Even if you haven’t received an offer yet, having your property actively on the market shows both estate agents and sellers that you’re serious. The last thing anyone wants are time-wasters, so taking the steps to list your home shows that you’re not just window‑shopping.
2. Secure a mortgage in principle
Before approaching a seller, it’s best to have a mortgage in principle in place. This is a lender’s confirmation of how much you’re likely to be able to borrow, based on an initial assessment of your finances. Having this in place reassures sellers that you can afford the home you’re offering on and can make good on your offer. This makes your offer more credible and attractive compared with buyers who haven’t done the groundwork.
3. Work with experienced agents
Choosing the right estate agent can make a significant difference when buying before selling. Experienced agents understand the nuances of managing chains and timelines, and they can do a lot of the negotiating for you. They’ll also keep communication flowing between all parties, reducing the risk of delays or misunderstandings that could cause a deal to fall through. At the end of the day, without a sale, an estate agent doesn’t make money, so it’s in their best interest to make sure you get what you want.
4. Consider a cash buyer offer
If you want to move quickly and make your offer stand out, selling to a cash buyer like Zapperty can transform your position. Zapperty will purchase your home directly, in as little as a few days, and free you from the uncertainty of a traditional sale. By doing this, you effectively become a chain‑free buyer, which is exactly the kind of situation that sellers and agents favour. It allows you to compete with other cash buyers and move forward without a chain holding you back, knowing your sale is already secured.
So, should you offer on a property before selling your house?
You absolutely can make an offer on a property before selling your own, but does that mean you should?
Deciding whether to make an offer before you’ve sold depends on your personal circumstances, your risk tolerance and how competitive the market is. It’s perfectly legal to make an offer before selling, of course, and many people do so when they find a property that ticks all their boxes. However, you need to understand that until you’re in a stronger position, either by having a buyer lined up or by being chain‑free, your offer might not carry much weight. Sellers often prefer buyers who have already sold or who are purchasing without a chain, because it reduces the likelihood of delays or complications.
Offering before you’ve sold is a calculated risk, but the key is preparation. Get your property on the market early, have your finances lined up and consider whether using a service like Zapperty to become chain‑free could give you the best chance of securing your dream home without unnecessary stress.
Make Yourself an Attractive Buyer With Zapperty
You can put an offer on a house before selling yours, but whether it’s accepted depends on how prepared you are. Sellers favour buyers who are chain‑free, financially ready and serious about completing quickly.
If you want to secure your next home without the stress of a property chain, sell your property quickly and easily to a trusted cash buyer like Zapperty. You’ll unlock funds fast, strengthen your position and increase your chances of securing your dream home.
FAQs
Can you put an offer on a house before selling yours?
Yes. Offers aren’t legally binding, but unless you take the steps to improve your attractiveness to the buyer, they may not accept.
What if you lose the new home while waiting?
Unfortunately, the seller can accept another offer until exchange. Acting quickly is key.
Is a cash buyer offer realistic?
Yes, companies like Zapperty buy directly, removing the uncertainty of a chain.
How fast can Zapperty complete a sale?
Many homeowners complete within days, not months, making you a far stronger buyer.
