How to formulate a bid for a property?

Then the community of heirs can always drop by and enjoy the preserved house, right?

How terrible it will be for the community of heirs if, shortly after the sale, such a major damage occurs to the property that renovation is no longer worthwhile...

I think you can include a clause in the purchase contract that the house must be preserved, right? Whether that will happen, of course, I don't know. Since it should be old acquaintances, maybe a promise is enough for them. Or the buyer will think carefully again about what he is taking on and back out ;) The desire for preservation seems to play a role more often. We also once looked at another property with an old building where the seller so far couldn't come to terms with the idea that we want to demolish. Maybe in the future we shouldn't be so honest... But then in the end, there will be a clause and it won't have helped us after all...

Unfortunately, I only saw the discussion after you had already placed the bid. That’s why I didn’t write anything anymore. Exactly that point would have been your trump card against a developer with deep pockets in the case of private sellers. But you wanted to move anyway, right?

It was also important to our sellers that the house went into good hands. However, there was also an amount at which they faltered and then wanted to sell to the other bidders. Only when they backed out did we get it. Personal impression can indeed make the crucial difference...

You wanted to leave anyway, right?

Yes, exactly, we want to build ourselves.

It is a pity for you, but I can understand it. Often there is an emotional attachment to the old stock. We got our house back then because the community of heirs wanted to sell to a young family who would also do something with the house (we had to present a binding financing offer that included a reasonable renovation). If I had to sell now, it would also be important to me to choose buyers who appreciate our old lady.

I even got an answer :) we were €20,000 below the highest bid and overall in the top third. I'm glad I estimated the price well, but this probably rules out any possible subsequent advancement...