How to win sealed bids in prime London

Sealed bids are back in full swing unfortunately, with nearly half of all properties we’re buying for clients being tied up this way. If you are going to sealed bids, or indeed bidding on a property where there is lots of interest, there are ways to make yourself stand out, aside from how much you’re willing to pay.

Jo Eccles, Founder and Managing Director of Eccord, sees this regularly: "Buyers frequently come to us for help after losing out on properties. In many cases, they can't understand why – especially if they were offering a similar amount, or in some cases, more than the successful buyer." (The Telegraph, April 2026)

Price is only part of what a seller will consider. Eccord has won 85% of the competitive bidding situations it has entered for clients, and in 65% of those our clients were not the highest bidder.

Write an offer letter

Firstly, write an offer letter and send it via email. This gives you the opportunity to put down all the information and terms, and to sell yourself as much as you can. You should state your offer amount, as well as stating what is to be included within your offer. For example, curtains, blinds, the fridge/freezer, window boxes, and so on. All of these items add up, and it’s better to be clear from the outset, rather than wrangling with the seller later on over how much they’ll charge to leave the washing machine.

Say who you are

Secondly, state who you are. Some sellers place a lot of importance on who they’re selling to, so add personal detail such as who you are, the reason you’re buying the property, or if you’re renting in the area and know it very well – anything you think will help your case.

Set out your position and finances

It’s also important to outline your position, for example, do you have anything to sell, or are you renting and chain free? Give details on your finances by outlining how much cash you will be paying, and say you have a mortgage arranged for the remaining amount. Provide your mortgage broker or lender details to show that you are organised, as well as your solicitor. Again, this demonstrates that you have your team of professionals assembled and ready to go.

Fit the seller's timescales

If you have details about the seller’s preferred time scales and you can fit in with them, then say so. Time scales can often be a big sticking point so if you can accommodate the seller, they may well choose you over a higher bidder who isn’t as flexible.

"Buying agents help to seal the deal, advising on how much to bid, what else to include in an offer and if necessary, when it is best to walk away." – Jo Eccles, The Telegraph, November 2023

At Eccord, our buying agents provide a highly personalised service to every client, from shaping the offer to negotiating with the selling agent, giving you confidence in your decision and helping you achieve your best outcome.

If you have a question you’d like Jo or the team at Eccord to answer please email enquire@eccord.com or tweet her @joeccles.