I’ve been house hunting in Barcelona recently and finally found an apartment I’m really happy with in every aspect. Last Friday, we submitted our ‘oferta’ through the agent, and now we’re in the most agonizing waiting period… Every minute feels like an eternity! It’s a completely different journey compared to what I’ve read about buying a house directly from the owner in Spain. I’m posting this to document the process and also to hear about everyone’s experiences.
Our offer is about 5% below the asking price, which the agent said is a reasonable range. To show we’re serious, we also attached a mortgage pre-approval letter from the bank, hoping it would improve our chances. The agent told us the owner has received our offer and is discussing it with their family. This feeling of uncertainty is absolute torture. I don’t know if they’re waiting for higher offers or genuinely considering ours.
I find myself compulsively refreshing my email and WhatsApp all day, terrified of missing any news from the agent. Whenever I walk down the street and see a “SE VENDE” (For Sale) sign outside a real estate agency, my heart skips a beat. Like this one below. Just looking at it now makes me anxious.
I’ve already started involuntarily planning which room will be the study and what flowers to plant on the balcony, but then I have to pull myself back to reality and tell myself to stay calm, so I don’t get my hopes up too high only to be disappointed. I’m sure anyone who has bought a house understands this emotional roller coaster.
Possible Scenarios After Making an Offer
I’ve also summed up a few potential responses from the owner after submitting an offer, and we’ve prepared for each:
| Owner’s Response | Our Counter-plan |
|---|
| Accepts the offer | Great! Prepare to sign the reservation contract immediately. |
| Rejects the offer outright | Try to communicate with the agent, understand the reason for rejection, and see if there’s room to increase the offer. |
| Makes a counter-offer | Evaluate their new price and decide whether to accept or make another counter-offer. |
Has anyone had a similar experience to share? How long does it usually take for an owner to respond? Is it normal to hear back within a week? Are there any tips to increase the success rate for an average buyer like me? I’m looking for advice from the seasoned experts on this forum. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
