Fixtures and fittings - at what stage should we negotiate?

Doozergirl

If they are actually fitted in then they should be included in the sale. If they aren't included then the area needs to made good - ie. she can't leave a gaping hole in the worktop so what can she put in it's place? I'd argue this if they aren't included in the form rather than negotiate a price for them.

gelato_cat

Thank you. Have had a word with bf and the negotiation now sounds like this:

---
Hello, thanks for showing us houses on Sat... <general feedback on both houses> it confirmed that number X is our first choice. As you know we have sold our flat, have 40% deposit, have a solicitor waiting and AIP and are as keen to get moving as they are. Also, when we saw them on Sat they said they had already had a couple of offers which were too low - but we are not sure what they consider low... so with all that in mind we would like to suggest 92% of the asking price which is £390k. Can you find out how they feel about that and let us know please?
---

I'm not sure how to get across the fact that we're willing to negotiate but don't want to be pushed upwards for the sake of it, hence my suggested last line.

What do you think? I thought putting it in % terms before saying the actual figure might help the EA think it's higher even though it's less than £400k??

Suze

Wickedkitten

I still remember some poor person on here way back when we first bought in 2006 that was all excited to get their keys, only to find out when they went into the house that not only had the vendor left the house empty, they took the carpets, lightbulbs, light pulls, and everything down to the chrome socket covers.

Forgot to check if they actually got recompense for that but I remember being gobsmacked at the time so definitely double check with the vendor what is going to be left even if it is on the F&F list.

Wickedkitten

Suzey wrote: »

Thank you. Have had a word with bf and the negotiation now sounds like this:

---
Hello, thanks for showing us houses on Sat... <general feedback on both houses> it confirmed that number X is our first choice. As you know we have sold our flat, have 40% deposit, have a solicitor waiting and AIP and are as keen to get moving as they are. Also, when we saw them on Sat they said they had already had a couple of offers which were too low - but we are not sure what they consider low... so with all that in mind we would like to suggest 92% of the asking price which is £390k. Can you find out how they feel about that and let us know please?
---

I'm not sure how to get across the fact that we're willing to negotiate but don't want to be pushed upwards for the sake of it, hence my suggested last line.

What do you think? I thought putting it in % terms before saying the actual figure might help the EA think it's higher even though it's less than £400k??

Suze

I would be more vague about the deposit amount, especially if you are wanting to go that much lower than the asking price. Just say you have a sizeable deposit.

harrup

Suzey wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

The hob and oven aren't listed in the adverts, as they've literally only just been put in (as the vendor is thinking about renting the house out). They are fitted rather than free-standing. They've been in less than a week so she's used them a handful of times!

Suze

Suze, before you put in an offer - ask for a detailed inventory. Room by room. I just googled what the prior owner HAS to leave behind In terms of F & F and the astounding answer was, legally, seemingly ....NOTHING. If they felt like it they could take the bathtub. Evidently, a house price is just that: the price for the naked house and land. Who knew?

Or you MIGHT find yourself with a gaping hole in the middle of the kitchen ....and not a single light bulb left.

It's unlikey - but evidently not unheard of. My research made for some eye opening reading. Woof!

gelato_cat

True, but wouldn't it all be in the F&F form and contract?

Suze

harrup wrote: »

Suze, before you put in an offer - ask for a detailed inventory. Room by room. I just googled what the prior owner HAS to leave behind In terms of F & F and the astounding answer was, legally, seemingly ....NOTHING. If they felt like it they could take the bathtub. Evidently, a house price is just that: the price for the naked house and land. Who knew?

Or you MIGHT find yourself with a gaping hole in the middle of the kitchen ....and not a single light bulb left.

It's unlikey - but evidently not unheard of. My research made for some eye opening reading. Woof!

harrup

Wickedkitten wrote: »

I still remember some poor person on here way back when we first bought in 2006 that was all excited to get their keys, only to find out when they went into the house that not only had the vendor left the house empty, they took the carpets, lightbulbs, light pulls, and everything down to the chrome socket covers.

.

LOL - same thing happened to a friend of mine. They moved into their new house all excited, with their virtually newborn son....only to find that the prior owner had taken every single light bulb.It was during the winter and they arrived in the early evening - pitch black. Can you imagine? WHO goes round a house taking all the lightbulbs out? Nought as queer as folks.

The good news there are also sellers like my friend who emigrated, who'd welcomed the new owners with a lovely card, a BIG bunch of flowers and a bottle of Champagne in the fridge to celebrate their new home. Awwww.... oh, AND all the lightbulbs were in place.

gelato_cat

One of our mates arrived to find there were no loo roll holders... LOL...

Suze

harrup

Wickedkitten wrote: »

I would be more vague about the deposit amount, especially if you are wanting to go that much lower than the asking price. Just say you have a sizeable deposit.

I would do the same. I'd make it plain that we are ready to proceed immediately would but leave the details exact details hazy.

I'm a bit confused though - if their new ( and reduced from 460 K) AP is 425 K and Suze is offereing 5% less....that ain't 390 K.

I can't see anyone dropping their price by £ 70 000 in 5 month - they can't be THAT desperate to get out of the country. Can they?

Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained. All they can say is "The price is 425 K - take it or leave it"

As an aside note...and this is just me... personally, I wouldn't ask for a 35 K reduction AND free dining room furniture in the same breath! If I was the seller I'd instruct the EA to disregard that buyer forthwith. Seriously. No offense intended, Suze, ok?

Doozergirl

Suzey wrote: »

Hello, thanks for showing us houses on Sat... <general feedback on both houses> it confirmed that number X is our first choice. As you know we have sold our flat, have 40% deposit, have a solicitor waiting and AIP and are as keen to get moving as they are. Also, when we saw them on Sat they said they had already had a couple of offers which were too low - but we are not sure what they consider low... so with all that in mind we would like to suggest 92% of the asking price which is £390k. Can you find out how they feel about that and let us know please?

I'm not sure how to get across the fact that we're willing to negotiate but don't want to be pushed upwards for the sake of it, hence my suggested last line.

What do you think? I thought putting it in % terms before saying the actual figure might help the EA think it's higher even though it's less than £400k??

Please omit that last line. You do not let people know that you are willing to go higher - do you think they aren't going to ask for it?! If the vendor doesn't pick that up, the EA will in a second. If the offer is rejected and you want to go higher, go higher - no one will refuse to talk because you offered to low first time round.

% terms of the actual figure? Anything less than 100% sounds rubbish doesn't it really? Please don't dress it up any differently. Just be confident in every offer you make and never ever up your offer in the same conversation as having an offer rejected.

Your attitude is wrong! You're not asking for forgiveness, you are taking something that they don't want anymore off their hands - I know you want it but you are doing them a favour!