Before you offer: settle the price, the financing and your ceiling

1. Financing and cash readiness

• Get indicative valuations and pre-approval intent from at least two banks.
• Confirm what you can carry under the stress test, not just the headline monthly payment.
• Work out how much extra cash you can put up if the valuation falls short.

2. Verify the property facts

• Check Land Registry records: title, existing mortgages, unauthorised works or orders.
• Confirm saleable area, block, floor, aspect and management fees.
• Look at recent same-block transactions and how many units are currently listed.

3. Total the cash costs

• Ad valorem stamp duty at the applicable band.
• Agency commission, legal fees and mortgage insurance where relevant.
• Renovation, furniture and moving budget.

Add them up and you will know what each step down in price is actually worth in cash.

4. Write down your ceiling

Before negotiating, write down the highest price you are willing to pay and why. A written ceiling is a discipline tool that stops in-the-moment concessions — it is not an offer formula.

5. Terms other than price

• Completion timing, which can matter to a vendor as much as price.
• Deposit structure and payment rhythm.
• Fixtures, condition on handover and responsibility for repairs.