Signs that you are about to overpay

Everyone wants to win the bidding. But some wins cost too much. Watch for these signs.

You do not know the final prices nearby

If you cannot say what similar homes sold for, you cannot know if your bid is high.

You have passed your maximum

The plan was made for this moment. If you are past it, stop and think.

You think about the home, not the price

"We must have this one" is a feeling, not a valuation.

The total cost is not clear

You have not added the fee, the running costs or the stamp duty.

You bid fast to scare others

Fast bids can work. They can also push the price up by yourself.

What to do

Take a break. Ask the agent for a few minutes. Look at your list of comparable sales. Decide again with a calm head.