Should You Accept the First Offer? What Most Sellers Get Wrong
You’ve put your home on the market, and before you’ve even had a chance to breathe, the first offer lands on the table.
Should You Accept the First Offer? What Most Sellers Get Wrong
You’ve put your home on the market, and before you’ve even had a chance to breathe, the first offer lands on the table.
It’s exciting. It’s flattering. And then comes the question that stalls so many sellers…
Should I accept it? Or wait for something better?
At Martyn Russell, we’ve helped hundreds of sellers weigh up this very decision. And while every situation is unique, there are a few common myths that often lead to regret, delays or missed opportunities.
Here’s what we want every seller to know about the first offer, and how to decide what’s truly best for your move.
1. The First Offer Isn’t Always a Lowball
There’s a widely held belief that early offers are cheeky, speculative or just a “starting point” for negotiation. But in today’s market, that’s rarely the case.
The reality is, serious buyers move quickly. Many have already been watching the market for weeks or months, waiting for the right home to appear. When it does, they act fast — and often come in with their best offer first, hoping to secure it.
✅ Motivated buyers don’t wait
✅ The strongest offer is often the first
✅ Time on market can weaken your leverage, not improve it
2. Your Home Has the Most Attention in Week One
The first few days on the market are your peak moment. Your listing is fresh, promoted as ‘new’, and pushed to the top of buyer search feeds.
That early window creates urgency, competition and attention. After that, the buzz tends to quieten down — and offers, if they come later, are rarely stronger.
✅ The first 7 to 14 days generate the highest buyer interest
✅ If a serious offer arrives during this period, it’s a sign you’ve priced well
✅ Waiting too long can lead to price drops or buyer doubts later on
3. Don’t Just Look at the Number — Look at the Buyer
Not all offers are created equal. A higher offer with a long chain or weak financing might not be as strong as a slightly lower one from a cash buyer or someone chain-free.
When helping you evaluate offers, we don’t just focus on price. We look at:
• The buyer’s financial position
• Whether they’re in a chain (and how complex it is)
• Their flexibility around timeframes
• How committed and motivated they appear to be
✅ Certainty and speed can be worth more than a higher headline price
✅ We review all the facts so you can make an informed choice
✅ The right offer is the one that aligns with your plans and peace of mind
4. You’re in Control, But Strategy Matters
It’s absolutely your choice whether to accept, reject or negotiate. But our role is to help you weigh up the real-world implications of each option — not just the number on paper.
Sometimes, we’ll advise you to counter. Other times, we’ll help you create interest from multiple buyers to boost your negotiating power. And occasionally, we’ll suggest saying yes sooner rather than later.
The point is, it’s not guesswork. It’s a strategy.
✅ You won’t be rushed, pressured or left in the dark
✅ You’ll have expert insight on what’s likely to happen next
✅ And we’ll guide you through each step with clarity and calm
If you’re preparing to launch your home, or you’ve just received your first offer and don’t know what to do next, we’re here to help.
📞 Book a call with Alex and he’ll chat through how we can guide you to the best outcome — not just the fastest one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the first offer usually the best?
A: Not always, but often it’s the most serious. It usually comes from buyers who are already active and ready. We’ll look at it in context with your goals.
Q: What if I accept too quickly and miss a better one later?
A: That’s a common fear. We’ll look at buyer interest, the market climate and your personal timeline to make a balanced decision together.
Q: How do I know if the buyer is strong enough to proceed?
A: We check proof of funds or mortgage agreements, chain status and motivation before advising on whether to accept.
Q: Can I negotiate even if it’s a good offer?
A: Yes, and in some cases we’ll recommend it. But we always do so with care, so you don’t risk losing a great buyer over a small gap.