Viewers hinting at reducing asking price due to wanting to make changes

bitsandpieces

The place is worth what it's worth. It might be worth less if it were in bad repair, with awkward layout, etc. If the buyer wants to knock down walls or plate the fixtures with gold after they move in, though, that's their business - no reason why you should reduce the price to fund this.

The cash payment to you sounds dodgy. If the buyer's from abroad, it's just about possible they might be from a culture where this type of thing is more common (even if not strictly legit). I wouldn't touch it, though.

Mrs_Bucket

I think that they are cheeky b*ggers! Perhaps we should all use their tactics and under offer because we want to change the wallpaper and carpet! It's called personal taste! Let them offer what they offer and tell the estate agent that they are offering to do a crafty deal! (but only if you don't want to sell it to them!!)

Julieg

The viewers got back to the estate agent with an offer of £355k (asking price £400k). I told the EA to see if they would go any higher, ie something between the two and suggested £380k. They won't go any higher as they wanted to replace the windows, which although wood are in good condition. I am suprised tbh as they seemed really keen and talked as if they had decided to have it. Also as they are staying with family and have nothing to sell they asked if they could move in quickly and I said that I would move out to suit them rather than make them wait until I'd found a property to move into.

Which now brings me to the decision about whether I accept the offer. My ex-husband (who's still with me here in the matrimonial home) wont give an opinion as he's only getting a small share of the equity (as getting other amounts as 50/50 split), and as I've never sold a house before am at a loss what to do.

The house has been on the market for 17 months, with a starting price of £465, then £440 and now £400. There isnt any other houses similiar to this in the village and most house here belong to the Fitzwilliam estate so only a small minority are privately owned. Here is a link to our house:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-19411759.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E82351&insId=1&pageNumber=1&backToListURL=%2Fproperty-for-sale%2Ffind.html%3FsearchType%3DSALE%26locationIdentifier%3DREGION%255E82351%26insId%3D1%26radius%3D0.0%26displayPropertyType%3D%26minBedrooms%3D%26maxBedrooms%3D%26minPrice%3D%26maxPrice%3D%26retirement%3D%26partBuyPartRent%3D%26maxDaysSinceAdded%3D%26_includeSSTC%3Don%26sortByPriceDescending%3D%26primaryDisplayPropertyType%3D%26secondaryDisplayPropertyType%3D%26oldDisplayPropertyType%3D%26oldPrimaryDisplayPropertyType%3D%26newHome%3D%26auction%3Dfalse%26x%3D42%26y%3D4

Any advice would be much appreciated. The EA is phoning me back at 11am to see what I've decided.

Here are two others for sale in the outskirts of the village:-

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-10613868.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E26122&insId=1&pageNumber=1&backToListURL=%2Fproperty-for-sale%2Ffind.html%3FsearchType%3DSALE%26locationIdentifier%3DREGION%255E26122%26insId%3D1%26radius%3D0.0%26displayPropertyType%3D%26minBedrooms%3D%26maxBedrooms%3D%26minPrice%3D%26maxPrice%3D%26retirement%3D%26partBuyPartRent%3D%26maxDaysSinceAdded%3D%26_includeSSTC%3Don%26sortByPriceDescending%3D%26primaryDisplayPropertyType%3D%26secondaryDisplayPropertyType%3D%26oldDisplayPropertyType%3D%26oldPrimaryDisplayPropertyType%3D%26newHome%3D%26auction%3Dfalse%26x%3D57%26y%3D10

and this one:-

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-21360745.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E26122&insId=1&pageNumber=1&backToListURL=%2Fproperty-for-sale%2Ffind.html%3FsearchType%3DSALE%26locationIdentifier%3DREGION%255E26122%26insId%3D1%26radius%3D0.0%26displayPropertyType%3D%26minBedrooms%3D%26maxBedrooms%3D%26minPrice%3D%26maxPrice%3D%26retirement%3D%26partBuyPartRent%3D%26maxDaysSinceAdded%3D%26_includeSSTC%3Don%26sortByPriceDescending%3D%26primaryDisplayPropertyType%3D%26secondaryDisplayPropertyType%3D%26oldDisplayPropertyType%3D%26oldPrimaryDisplayPropertyType%3D%26newHome%3D%26auction%3Dfalse%26x%3D57%26y%3D10

dander

Firstly, don't feel rushed into the decision, if you haven't decided by 11, just tell them you are still thinking about it.

Secondly, I'm afraid only you can make the decision. It's a very low offer compared to your asking price, but I have no idea what's reasonable in your area. Most people don't offer their absolute maximum price first time, so you may well find if you say no they come back with a higher offer. However, it's a gamble, they might just walk away and you have to decide whether it's a risk you want to take. They may be gambling themselves on the fact that you've been on the market a long time and you need to sell.

What's most important to you, just getting rid of the house, or getting rid of it for a decent price?

Julieg

Hi, Thanks for replying. The EA went back to them to see if they would increase the offer (even if it was just another £5k) but they said 'no' as they wanted to change the windows. This was on Wednesday.

The only thing that puts me off accepting the offer(well apart from the low offer) is that they seemed so keen and I suppose I keep hoping that they're just waiting a little while to see if I'll except the offer before increasing it.

I do want to more but if I sold to them I would not only be selling for a low price but would have to pay for storage of my furniture whilst I (and my two sons) stayed with my mother as they want us out a.s.a.p.

mlz1413

If they would let you stay until you found somewhere to go would that be enough of a comprise?

At the mo their offer is costing you a lot finanically, emotionally and physically - if you are not happy with that hold out for another buyer.

laughingcow81

Yes I agree - it is a lot of money to come down. If you aren't happy to sell for that amount just say no. If they are really that keen they will up their offer.

Chinkle

You seem to be be letting the buyer dictate everything. They put a low offer and want you out quick (which doesn't suit you) just tell them what price/deal you are prepared to accept and then stick to your guns. If they are already planning what they want to do with the house I reckon they're keener than you think but just playing the game to get a lower price

Patr100

If it's already a decent house then they shouldn't expect to finance non essential improvements if they've already have got a very substantial cut - it would be different if the survey said it needed a new roof etc - unless the house was severely overpriced to start with -
Just think - if it had been on the market for say £380k maybe you would get more interest?

Depends as said , only you know what you can afford to sell at etc. but moving out to suit them - not sure about that. As said they seem to be dictating everything. Are you prepared to walk away if they don't compromise and meet you half way?

Julieg

Hi, thanks for all your thoughts. To be honest I've been agonising about what to do because I just didn't feel right about accepting such a low offer especially as I (and the kids) would be putting ourselves out so much. But as the house had been on the market for so long I did wonder if I would be making a mistake not taking it. I've decided to leave it and see if they come back with a better offer as looking at other houses for sale around where I am I don't really think the house is overpriced. I may reduce it however to maybe £389,950 soon as sounds better than £400!!