Flat buying - seller turning nasty

Pez2 · 14 November 2007 at 2:37PM

What I would suggest is to write to them via the agent saying that the original price negotaited for the property and the furniture was dependent on the verbally agreed completion date. State that they either have to stick to that date or you will lower your offer to x amount, and I would add that these offers are non-negotiable, they have to chose one or the other or there will be no deal. And stick to that. No negotiation, they take one option or another; any dialogue at this point is only going to weaken your position.

That way you either get the deal you originally struck, or you get a better deal and some of the money save can pay for a couple of nights in a B&B and storage for your belongings while you are homeless.

Whatever you do, don't put in any new offers until say a week before you're due to complete as you don't want to give them time to come up with an alternative buyer.

stevie_wonder · 14 November 2007 at 2:56PM

if they have bought plane tickets, they must assume you are going through with the purchase, and they wont have time to find another buyer. Now's the time to negotiate to where you want to be. In particular regards the moving date. If you are homeless it will cost more for you to store your stuff and move it, than for them to p1ss off and hire a hotel for 2 nights!! WHy can't they do that? You have already given notice on your rental I guess so just say NO you cant do that date.

As a FTB buying and negotiation can seem quite harsh, but try not to take it personal and be realistic about the situation. Good Luck

sooz · 14 November 2007 at 3:09PM

2 days isn't a huge delay.

As others have said, the removals firm will be able to store your stuff for a day or two (at a small extra charge) although i guess you don't have that much if you are buying all her furniture.

Find a nice hotel to stay at, and spend the time choosing nice new furniture and leave her struggling to get rid of all of hers.

Or speak to your landlord, and see if you can stay put for an extra 2 days.

Soprano · 14 November 2007 at 4:14PM

Wow, you are in a seriously great position!

Personally, I would offer NOTHING for the furniture. After being messed around why not?

Tell the seller you need the money for two nights in a hotel!

jaype · 14 November 2007 at 4:18PM

Agree with Irnbru - I think you're offering too much for the furniture still also. But you need to agree on making sure that the place is as seen before you transfer over the final money.

Richard_Webster · 14 November 2007 at 4:47PM

I agree with the general tone of the posts that suggest you are in a good position to negotiate.

Why did your GF let you give notice on your rented? This is a thing we are forever telling buyer clients not to do until contracts are exchanged, because they can never be certain that they will be exchanged for the desired completion date or at all!

ghekkomanic · 14 November 2007 at 4:47PM

jaype wrote: »

Agree with Irnbru - I think you're offering too much for the furniture still also. But you need to agree on making sure that the place is as seen before you transfer over the final money.

I checked that point with my girlfriend, and she said that if the property isn't in the condition it was meant to be sold in they would be in breach of contract.

As for offering less on the price of the flat, I'm still not convinced. I think it could be a step too far, whereas a much lower offer on the furniture is still pretty reasonable as they can choose to take it or leave it.

Being homeless for a couple of days really isn't much of an issue actually as I have to pick up some stuff from my parents so can just stay there that weekend. It gives me something to bargain with too I suppose - I agree to their completion date but offer on furniture is non-negotiable.

busy_b · 14 November 2007 at 5:10PM

If you're REALLY happy with the price of the property and it's the only one you want go ahead but I think most people would have pulled out by now so they owe you the furniture for messing you about !

I'd agree with others on here that they'll leave it anyway (I bet they couldn't believe their luck when you agreed to buy it, especially at a high price).

Good Luck !

poppy10_2 · 14 November 2007 at 5:10PM

stevie_wonder wrote: »

if they have bought plane tickets, they must assume you are going through with the purchase, and they wont have time to find another buyer. Now's the time to negotiate to where you want to be.

Exactly - you've got them over a barrel now. There's no way they can afford for you to back out now, if they've already made their plans and booked their flights. They have tried to screw you over, now it's your turn to turn the screws. Don't offer a penny over the original asking price - in todays market with prices falling they'll be desperate to complete even if it means losing out on the extra few thousand they tried to make you pay.

telfordwhite · 14 November 2007 at 5:28PM

It sounds as though the vendor thinks he is doing you a favour by selling to you. He aint!

He seems very sure of himself so now is the time to knock some of the confidence out of him. This will happen when it dawns on him what a weak negotiating position he is in.

Time is on your side, if you miss out on this flat there will be others that come along - probably cheaper in 6 months time. He on the other hand has a deadline, if he thinks he's going to miss out on it believe me he will panic especially if he has to pay a mortgage for 2,3,6,9 months.

If you miss out you will be fed up for a couple of weeks but you'll get over it, he on the other hand may lose lots of money.

Bargain hard, offer original price and only a small amount for the furniture. As previous poster said make it non-negotiable and via the agent. Put the ball in his court, don't answer phone calls or e-mails.... make him sweat.

Flat buying - seller turning nasty

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