New houses negotiating question

bylromarha

Hi all,

Anyone successfully bargained for a new house reduction in price? They've already thrown 5% our way + SD paid...hubby started talking about carpets so they said, well they don't come with carpets, but we can give you £1500 towards that.

They're nearing the end of the phase and the house is right at the top of our budget. But I told them our budget was bigger than it is when I first went in as the website says the prices are higher than they are, and have not been able to see all thats available before on other developments unless I told them we could afford it.

So they think I'm more flush than I am...so will they play hard ball to get the asking price do you think? I'm quite happy to play hard ball too as we can see negatives to the house and would walk away if the price wasn't right.

I've tried negotiating on price with developers before and they haven't budged...but this was a few years ago...are they more up for it now seeing as the market has turned and they want shot of this house (only about 3 left to sell on the phase before they move on). We have a first time buyer on ours, so a very small chain.

I'm going to try anyway, I think, if we do decide to go for this house, but what have others have you done to persuade the builders as my previous attempts obviously failed!

POORBUTHONEST

Well I'd be interested in any answers also - as I am in exactly the same position; wih the added sales patter along the the lines of 'you've only got 24 hours to decide' from the development sales rep.

Because of this pressure I'm almost tempted to say 'no deal'! However, I quite like the house / development.
Are New builds flexible in matters such as carpetting etc.??

lynzpower

well so far you have "negotiated" the SD, 5% and 1500 for carpets. Im new to this too? How much does that total up as versus the price of the place?

Doozergirl

I've found developers are quite happy to play the haggling game where you start very low, they refuse, you ask for their lowest price, then go a bit higher and keep playing it like that. If you are prepared to walk away then you have the upper hand because you're not desperate - if you're lucky they'll chase you rather than the other way round. I'd completely dismiss their 5% discount as it's not really a discount if everyone gets it - I'd happily tell them that too. I'd also make sure that the offer gets passed up the line and isn't just dismissed by the sales rep.

I'd swallow your pride and just go for it - you're not offending someone by under-valuing their home.

Carpets are outrageously expensive from developers BTW - you'd be better off trying to negotiate the £1500 discount off the house and using a regular carpet supplier - the difference is shocking!

bylromarha

Haven't even started negotiating yet...the sales rep offered the 5% and SD just as her patter whilst we walked round the house. The carpet offer came in on 2nd visit so OH could see the house and he asked if the house came carpeted...the carpet offer came in there, so we really haven't tried to get a discount yet.

Doozergirl...I throughly agree about the overpriced carpets. If we go for the house, I'll mention this is a discount we don't want so take it off the house price please. It worked in this house when they offered us a washing machine, microwave and fridge...we had them already, so they gave us £500 on completion instead.

The 5% was offered as discount instead of the part ex on your old house if you want to move without the hassle...as we're sold, we get the 5% instead, so very valid point that the discount is offered to everyone.

What do you think about my boo boo of telling her the high price we could stretch to? Will this influence the negotiations?

Doozergirl

It won't influence them if you're not desperate to have the house! Make it clear that the negotiations are more about what you think the house is worth than what you can afford. They can't use that against you

They don't really know what you can afford anyway, you've only given them an idea. I never tell the truth when I look at developments

terrierlady

No reason to fib when visiting a development the showhomes are available to view for everyone and not just the people that can afford them,as Iv said before , visitors/people are the cheapest form of advertising known,
the sales rep needs shooting, the idea is to link the incentives( if any are available) to what you really need, only by talking can he or she establish what is important to you.Its not want, its NEED.
Ask and ask away the incentives at the end of the day wont get any larger, each plot is given a price and that is that,incentives maybe offered on any particular plot to ensure a sale, look on the web site that is mentioned in other threads, that will tell you what price previous customers have brought for.

Is your sales position, are you SSTC sold subject to contract or actually exchanged
contract with a given completion date, that makes a differance too.
good luck let us know how you get on.

Rossco

Hi,

As its the end of the financial year anyone looking at new builds is in a good position if you can get your reservation fee down and are in a position to go. To get the best deal (for you) go into the sales office and make your last and final offer don't be afraid to offer silly money as they may rather have your sale now then wait for more money months down the line. If you are prepared to walk away if you don't get what you want you will be in a stronger position, but the chances are they will at least come back with a counter.

Have a scout around for finished houses without any occupants or for sale signs, it may be a good sign they can't get rid of them and are willing to do a deal.

Cheers.

terrierlady

its not every developers end of year, some are may, june etc

distilled

Or even worse, March!!!!! :eek:

bylromarha

Terrier lady, I was not allowed to view one home a few years ago as my budget was too low...hence the fact I told them my budget was higher than it was.

We're SSTC- with FTBs, so it should go through ASAP.