How much to offer for Apartment 16, The Oaks, Cedar Avenue

The comparable sales

The 8 closest matches from the last two years: same type of home, same neighbourhood, preferring the same street, recent sales and similar size. 8 are adjusted for size using floor areas from energy certificates.

Before you offer

• Ask how long it has been on the market and whether the price has been reduced. Homes that have sat for months usually have more room to negotiate. (We can't see asking prices or listing dates: they aren't in public records.)
• Look at condition. These figures assume a typical home of its kind. Price in work that needs doing, and leave room for what a survey finds.
• Show you're a strong buyer: a mortgage agreement in principle, deposit ready, and no chain (or a short one) can count for as much as price.
• Decide your walk-away price first, and put offers in writing through the agent. An accepted offer isn't binding until exchange.

Next steps: the buying checklist, the stamp duty calculator and the full history of this home.