Another 'What to offer on an new build & related questions" pls advice appreciated!

valmiki

Hello everyone, in a bit of a quandry and stuck as to what to do, and hopefully would like some friendly advice.

My family is currently living in a property (around £180-190k), not on the market, but I have been looking to move to something bigger the last couple of years after the birth of two children.

A national house-builder has a property that I think would be fantastic for us, but the situation is as follows:

The sales agent says that the property won't be available until March 2010.
She is asking what position I am in.
The original customer (ie. their first interested party) of the property is according to her 'facing some difficulties'
The price of the house is £265k and no inducements.

I have deliberately tried not to seem to keen, and have popped my head around the door once every couple of months just to keep up on news. The last time she said that the property had someone interested in it already, but then she would wouldn't she. I asked her to contact me if they pulled out, but she never did. So, yesterday I went round just to see what was going on, and she mentioned that it MAY become available, but suggested that I put myown property on the market.

Like everywhere, sales are flat, but I have been keeping an eye on what's going on so I'm pretty sure that given 9 months to sell mine (it is decorated rather well, and has plenty of added 'features' for the area), and that I can afford to sell mine a little cheaper (ie. I'm not as cash-strapped as others, but would still need to sell the house) I think I'm in a good position.

She, on the other hand, suggested that if I want the property then I should sell mine first, move into rented accomodation and then wait on their beck and call for when the property will be completed! Yeah, easily done when you have a 3 year old and a 1 year old!

We do want to move, but more me than my wife who is happy to stay put (but she is like that anyway!) and I know that other properties are around, but this one ticks pretty much all the boxes that we have. It's just that I think that I should get it a little cheaper (ie. at least include stamp duty &/or carpets) and that I'm finding the saleswoman incredibly difficult to talk to, it's almost as if she doesn't want to know!

Apologies, I think this sums up the situation, but I don't know what to do - I will getting some estate agents round to give me some valuations, and i could put the property on the market but I don't really want to have to, unless I stand a good chance of buying this one - and the saleswoman is being rather vague!

I have a feeling that I'm getting emotionally involved here:rolleyes:, and would appreciate some clear objective advice - I think I need it!

thanks

valmiki

Cannon_Fodder

9 months is a long time...

- for the developer to cease to exist
- for the development to only be half completed, leaving you living next to a muddy field, with bulldozers for the kids to play with, and few neighbours
- for the development to get sold off to a Housing Association who put social-housing recipients next door and prices plummet just when the wife has had enough of you/kids traipsing mud in the front door for the Nth time...

Personally, the only way I would buy new-build was if it was one of the final properties on a near-completed site.

They tend to have met their sales targets, so can offer carpets/discounts etc. Or even better may do a decent part-exchange to get the development signed-off for the new tax year, come April 2010.

I suspect they may have been enjoying a bit of the spring bounce, with an increase in interest. Suggest you wait until November then go and see how their attitude has changed...

Hair_Bear

New Build and off plan, that's a disastrous combination

valmiki

Hi

Thanks for the replies!

It is actually one of (if not then THE) last house to be built on the development, so I'm don't see there being much of a risk of the house not actually being built.

Cannon, I agree with you point, that being of the last ones they should be doing some deal or offering something more in inducements, but the agent seems very dry and not interested at all!

I think I'm more annoyed that the agent behaves like she can't be bothered to keep me informed and is more than happy for me to keep popping in, etc. Though she could be bluffing and March is a long way off yet.

Thats why I get the feeling that I may be getting strung along just in case the original buyer pulls out - I suppose I should cool it and wait until november as you say...

thanks again

valmiki