This is what people are saying though mate, go in with a silly low offer and go from there, as places just aren't selling. Long term you won't loose out, unless you are looking for a short term investment. Buy to rent might not be such a bad idea in a way as a lot of people need places to live, so they will rent for a year to let the market stabilize, and people in Cliffs position who can buy the property and not need to live in it get thier (vast amount of) years mortgage paid for.

You would be mad to buy at the or close to the asking price though.