Gazumping

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Gazumping occurs when a seller (especially of property) accepts a verbal offer (a promise to purchase) on the property from one potential buyer, but then accepts a higher offer from someone else. This can happen at any point before the sale is legally finalised. It can also refer to the seller raising the asking price or asking for more money at the last minute, after previously verbally agreeing to a lower one. In either case, the original buyer is left in a bad situation, and either has to offer a higher price or lose the purchase.^[1] The term gazumping is most commonly used in the United Kingdom and Ireland, although similar practices can be found in some other jurisdictions.