Eight in ten estate agents are seeing more examples of “gazundering” this year - when a buyer lowers their offer for a property just before exchanging contracts.

So what should sellers do if buyers seek a last-minute house price reduction?

There are a number of conditions which are making it a buyers market in 2026 for Britain’s housing sector, among which is a high volume of properties being available forcing some sellers to compete harder to entice movers.

Then there is conflict in the Middle East, weighing on UK mortgage rates and making them less appealing. All that means those that choose to go ahead with purchases may find they have fewer people vying for the same property.

With a buyers market comes the potential increased risk of gazundering. A snapshot survey by points to eight out of ten estate agents observing higher levels of gazundering in the first half of this year, compared with the same period in 2025.

The action refers to when a buyer seeks a last-minute price reduction just before exchanging on a home. The would-be homeowner can threaten to pull out if they don’t get their way.

Findings from Barclays in February found that of homeowners who had a sale or purchase fall through in the last three years, more than one in ten (11 per cent) said they had been gazundered.

As Jeremy Leafnorth London estate agent explains: “Gazundering, just like its equally-annoying accomplice, gazumping, is market driven.

“For us, gazundering is an increasing issue, but still thankfully rare and a consequence of sellers, particularly of flats in our area, outnumbering buyers. Opportunistic buyers, sensing vendor weakness or even desperation, may try to take advantage.”

So what levels of gazundering are being observed by various companies in the UK, and what should consumers do if they find this happening to them just before an exchange?

To give a snapshot of what estate agents have observed about gazundering levels in 2026, asked 10 companies, ranging from large consultancies to chains and small independent firms, about whether instances of it are higher compared to last year.

While gazundering attempts can be made, the results in the below table do not necessarily mean they were successful.

Verona Frankish, chief executive of Yopa comments: “Slower market conditions, more stock for sale and lower levels of buyer demand have shifted the balance of power somewhat.”

Looking at what a firm that does the bulk of its UK business in the capital has seen, Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves says: “Buyers recognise that London homeowners have been amongst the hardest hit by slower market conditions and that, having waited longer to secure a buyer, some sellers are particularly motivated to get their move over the line.”

He adds: “Unfortunately, this can make them an obvious target for a last-minute attempt to renegotiate.”

Seek professional advice. Sarah-Jane Bingham-Chick, director at Jackson-Stops' Exeter office, says there is an important distinction between a genuine renegotiation based on new information and gazundering, “where a buyer seeks to reduce their offer at the eleventh hour without material justification.”

She continues: “The role of an experienced agent is particularly important. They can assess whether a revised offer is reasonable, provide context on the strength of the wider market and comparable properties, and negotiate firmly on the seller’s behalf while keeping the transaction moving.” For example, if it becomes clear that some repairs will be required.

Act early. Bryn Nettle, head of residential at Strettons, thinks most parties are generally aware that price renegotiations can legitimately arise during the conveyancing process if issues are uncovered about a property, or certain documentation is unavailable. But outside of that he says representatives for vendors and buyers should have guidelines at the start.

Nettle says: “As soon as a buyer’s offer is agreed, we make it very clear that any attempt to renegotiate the price at the last minute without legitimate justification would be considered highly unethical and will not be tolerated.” Nettle points out that gazundering is not an illegal practice, just one that is not liked by many.

Take a breath. James Nightingall, the founder of HomeFinder AI says: “If there is no genuine reason to reduce the price, we generally advise sellers not to panic and to be prepared to stand their ground.”

Nightingall finds this turns the table, leaving the buyer in a “somewhat awkward position” to either go ahead with the initially agreed asking price or walk away.

Preempt potential gazundering attempts. Rose Parsons, a director at Hemmingfords, cautions the highest offer on paper isn’t always the best offer.

She says: “A good agent should be looking at the whole position: deposit size, mortgage status, whether there is a chain, how quickly they can proceed, whether solicitors are instructed and, importantly, how committed that buyer appears to be.”

Don’t be afraid to defend a price. Hemmingfords’ Parsons adds: “A challenge to the price doesn’t automatically mean the price is wrong. Sometimes you need somebody who understands the local market and the nuances of that particular property to properly evidence its value.”

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