Couple of tips that may come in handy.
Be confident with your offer, and point out the fact that you are ready to buy, no chain, have a deposit in place and have been accpected in principle for a mortgage.
I actually convinced the estate agents that i would like them to see me regarding sorting a mortgage, and aranging a solicitor - i didn't want them to, but it did seem to make them more inclined to push my offer and it worked.
They did come back and tried to make me up the offer by 1k, I said NO. Told them my offer was final and that i would walk. That can be a gamble.
If your offer is refused, pop round and see the sellers in the evening. Be polite and say you made an offer and ask if you can have a chat, many will only be to glad.
Try to find out a little about them, did they buy years agao? they may in that case have made alot on the property, so will be more willing to drop for a sale.
Are they looking to sell up quickly, again, you have no chain so your a bonus.
Try to build a rappour, it will make the seller feel comfortable with you and more inclined to accept an offer feeling they know you wont muck them about.
People often also give away info without meaning it, chat about the house, they may mention any issues or repairs, or hassles in the neighbourhood or parking issues.
Just throw in some general chat and listen to what they say and let them rabbit on, giving you all the info you need.
OK, you have made an offer, and it's been accepted, go and have another viewing, take pictures, measure up the rooms yourself, and have a good nose about, supprising how things look different on a 2nd view.
On the offer, my mate went to view a place up for 120k, adam offered 100k
estate agent laughed and said no way mate they wont take less than 115k, but adam asked that the offer gets put foward.
He gets a call back, no, it will need to be 118k
so that night he popped to the house, said he had made an offer and could they have a chat, they guy knew nothing about it
between them they agreed on a figure of 102k
they estate agent was fuming, Adam quickly pointed out that if anyone was in the wrong, it was them for not putting the offer in and lying about it
just goes to show hey!