Multiple offers on your home? Here’s how to choose the right one
The Cardiff property market can move fast, and when it does, sellers sometimes find themselves in an enviable (but slightly stressful!) position: multiple offers on the table. So… how do you choose?
It’s rarely as simple as going with the highest bidder. Here’s how we help our Cardiff home sellers weigh up what really matters when picking the right buyer...
Look beyond the highest price
We recently worked with a seller in Grangetown who had three offers, all within £2,000 of each other. One was from a first-time buyer with their mortgage in place, no chain and a flexible attitude. Another offered slightly more, but they needed to sell their own home first and had a long list of "fixes" they wanted before completion. Guess which one we went with?Sometimes, a slightly lower offer, strong, straightforward offer with fewer complications is the safer (and faster) route, beating a higher and more complicated one.
How strong is the buyer’s position?
It's not just what they offer, but how they’re positioned. We look at:
- Are they a cash buyer? Fewer delays, less risk of it falling through.
- Are they chain-free? If the buyer still needs to sell their own home first, it can add a layer of complexity and uncertainty. No onward chain = a much smoother, quicker sale.
- Do they have a mortgage agreement in principle? This shows they’re financially ready to proceed and can move forward without hold-ups.
- How quickly can they move? If you’re working to a deadline, a flexible or ready-to-go buyer can make all the difference. (We recently helped a couple in Pontcanna who had three offers on the table. The top two were nearly identical, but one buyer was flexible with dates and happy to take the property as seen. That made all the difference and the sale completed without a hitch!)
- Are they asking for any repairs or conditions? Requests for repairs or timing changes can complicate things (we always review these closely with our sellers).
Emotional investment
It might sound a bit fluffy, but we think it’s worth noting: sometimes a buyer who genuinely loves your home and has a personal connection to it is more likely to stick with the process, even when the inevitable hiccups arise. So if someone tells us they’ve always dreamed of living in a certain part of Cardiff or are excited to raise their family in a home like yours, we take that enthusiasm seriously. It often translates to a smoother, more committed buyer.
Use strategy, not guesswork…talk to your estate agent
This is where we come in. We’ll help you weigh everything up (price, position, conditions, and timing) and give you clear, honest advice so you can feel confident in your choice. We’re not here to push you in one direction; we’re here to make sure you’ve got all the facts to make a confident decision.
Don’t be afraid to counter
If you’ve got two or more strong offers, you may want to go back to each buyer with a counter, whether that’s a slightly higher price or fewer conditions. We’ll guide you through this carefully to make sure everything remains fair and professional.
The final decision: head and heart
At the end of the day, you want the best deal, but also the right fit. You’ve put love, time and care into your home and it deserves a buyer who values it just as much as you have. So once you've weighed up all the financial and non-financial factors, listen to your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. And if it feels right, that’s often your answer.
Thinking of selling your Cardiff home?
With our experience, local insight and a boutique-style approach to selling, CPS Homes will guide you every step of the way. Give Nathan and Sian a call on 02920 454555 or pop into one of our Cardiff branches - we’d love to chat about your next move!
The information contained within this article was correct at the date of publishing and is not guaranteed to remain correct in the present day.
