What Is Gazumping?
Gazumping is one of those ugly-sounding words that strikes fear into the hearts of hopeful buyers—and for good reason. It happens when a seller accepts an offer on a property… and then accepts a higher offer from someone else before contracts are exchanged.
In plain English?
You thought you’d bought a house, and someone else swoops in and snatches it out from under you.
Gazumping is legal in England and Wales (unlike Scotland, where it’s banned), and it can happen for several reasons—some understandable, some less so.
Why Does Gazumping Happen?
There are a few common triggers:
-
The seller gets a higher offer after already accepting yours
-
Your process is moving slowly and the seller gets cold feet
-
Another buyer offers better terms (like cash or a faster completion)
-
A breakdown in trust—maybe your solicitor has gone quiet or your mortgage hasn’t been confirmed
Often, gazumping isn’t personal. It’s business. But that doesn’t make it any less gutting when it happens.
Can You Stop Gazumping Completely?
Not entirely—but you can reduce the risk.
Here’s how:
-
Move quickly
The longer the gap between offer and exchange, the greater the risk. Get your solicitor, mortgage broker and surveyor lined up in advance so you can move fast when your offer is accepted. -
Build trust with the seller
A confident, committed buyer is less likely to be gazumped. Keep communication open, be responsive, and stay positive. -
Consider a reservation agreement
This is where Eastaway Secure comes in. We offer optional reservation agreements that give both sides financial peace of mind. Once signed, both buyer and seller commit to the deal—and if one party pulls out without good reason, there’s a financial penalty. -
Get the property marked as “sold subject to contract”
Ask your agent to make this change across all portals the moment your offer is accepted. It reduces temptation from other buyers and helps signal that things are progressing.
What If You’re the One Being Gazumped?
First off—breathe. It’s frustrating, but don’t panic. Talk to the estate agent and see where you stand. You may still be able to match the offer or prove you’re a stronger buyer. Sometimes the seller can be swayed by confidence, speed, or clarity—even if your offer isn’t the highest.
If it’s not salvageable, it’s not the right property. The right one will come.
Should a Seller Accept a Higher Offer?
It’s frustrating, but legally, a seller can accept a better offer right up until contracts are exchanged. That’s what gazumping is—and yes, it’s allowed. But just because it’s legal, doesn’t mean it’s always the smartest move.
Some sellers jump at a higher offer thinking it’ll mean more money in their pocket—but it can backfire. Switching buyers mid-sale often causes delays, uncertainty, and in some cases, the whole deal falls apart. More money upfront isn’t worth much if the sale collapses weeks later.
At Eastaway Property, we encourage our sellers to think long-term. The right buyer isn’t always the one with the highest offer—it’s the one who’s organised, committed, and most likely to get the deal done.
So if you’re serious, ready to move, and communicating clearly? You’ve already got a major advantage.
Want to Be First in Line for the Right Property?
If you’re buying in Stamford or Rutland, we’ll make sure you’re not left on the back foot.
Register with us now to get:
-
New listings before they hit Rightmove, Zoopla or OnTheMarket
-
Access to off-market and discreet properties
-
Alerts that match what you’re actually looking for—no filler, no spam
In a competitive market, speed and timing matter. Let’s make sure you don’t miss out. 👉 Click here to register for property alerts