House Buying - Moneysaving Tips

smccaldin

I don't plan to lie about our intentions! And the house we're looking at is unoccupied.

I was going to tell the estate agent that we are interested, but want to look at more houses (as we've only been viewing for about 2 weeks)... which is true!

I'm just thinking that if we put an offer in now or an offer in 6 weeks, isn't going to make much difference... and it will make it more likely that the vendor will accept a lower offer (as the property is being sold by a 'friend acting as will executor - a slightly odd situation?)

How reliable are estate agents at informing people that offers have been made...?

where2start

We have an agreement in principle with L & C ,they said once we put an offer in for the house we like we should then contact them, has anyone no had any experinces dealing with L & C and do they have their own solicitors or do we have to find our own ??

Doozergirl

where2start wrote: »

We have an agreement in principle with L & C ,they said once we put an offer in for the house we like we should then contact them, has anyone no had any experinces dealing with L & C and do they have their own solicitors or do we have to find our own ??

You have to find your own

Recommendations are best. Ask around your friends.

Doozergirl

smccaldin wrote: »

I don't plan to lie about our intentions!

You were talking about stalling. That is dishonest You should always be open about what you need to happen. Property professionals will spot a staller a mile off.

smccaldin wrote: »

I was going to tell the estate agent that we are interested, but want to look at more houses (as we've only been viewing for about 2 weeks)... which is true!

Telling an EA that you are interested will give them a bit of ammo for other viewings when they can tell them they have an interested party. People love a bit of competition, it validates the property as being the right price. Of course, you should view as many properties as you can.

smccaldin wrote: »

I'm just thinking that if we put an offer in now or an offer in 6 weeks, isn't going to make much difference... and it will make it more likely that the vendor will accept a lower offer

It could quite as easily go the other way and be sold from under your nose. As long as you are happy to walk away, then that's fine. Sometimes when the property is part of an estate, they can be willing to take lower offers to simply get the sale out of the way.

smccaldin wrote: »

How reliable are estate agents at informing people that offers have been made...?

That's what they get paid for. If you make a ridiculously low offer, some agents will dismiss you out of hand, but all offers should be followed up with a 'notification of offer' which is sent to vendor and potential purchaser. In reality, I've only really received these as a vendor, or when making offers on a repo, but if you are worried that an offer hasn't been passed on, then you can ask for notification a couple of days later.

mon1o

hi there i have been reading this thread with great interest. We have put our house on the market today and are hoping to move quickly due to me being pregnant and the new addition due on 5th january. Obviously it depends on people liking our house and putting offers in etc.

Anyway, we are going to see a house tomorrow in a fantastic area which has been on the market since March of this year. It needs a lot of updating (and i mean a lot!) which is the reason it has not received offers (says the estate agent). It was initially up for £135,000 and has been reduced to £124,995. I love the area its in and was thinking of offering £105,000 due to the state of the house and the fact it has been on the market so long. Is this unreasonable? The house is owned by someone who rented it out but the tenants moved on and he has decided to sell.

Many thanks
Monica

dunnomate

Go for it ! You can always start low - then work up, but not the other way around!

mon1o

Well we went to see the house and honestly i wouldnt even wish to pay £105,000 for it! I said to hubby we should offer £100k exactly but he said with an asking price of £124,995 he thought it would be a very cheeky offer and wont agree to it. We both agree its not worth more than that. Its a complete renovation project! Another house on that street is up for £150,ooo near enough and is completely new throughout. We are going to see a house today (2nd viewing) in another nice area but not as nice as the other and its owned by a developer its up for o/o £100,000 but a house on the same street sold last year for £155,000! Its all new and needs no work at all plus the house is a decent size as its an ex council house. So we are torn. Clearly there is a big profit to be made in either area.

Monica xx

countrygirl84

Hi. We had an offer accepted on a house last Friday and since then I have been stuck with which solicitor to go with. We have 4 solicitors in our town and I have called all 4 for quotes but they tend to be very simlar prices. I know from asking around which the best are, but wondered.... does anybody know of anybody on the internet that do any deals fro first time buyers? We are going to end up paying £700 for the cheapest one in our town! Bearing in mind the property is only £85k. Help?!! Any other advice would also be welcomed.
xx

dunnomate

Wow !!!!
Wow !!!!

money_spending_expert_4

Hi Samspam, thanks for the info. Would liket o ask you approx what percent discount you would generaly offer on new houses if asked and what things could be included in the sale ? We are hoping to buy a new build nearby but would like a nice discount and are not sure how much to ask for without insulting the house builder. is it true that the more expensive the house the bigger discount you can get ? Thanks in anticipation of you help. from moneyspeending expert