Meet me half way?

wxy

I’m a FTB that is due to exchange on a house shortly. However on a viewing we have noticed some problem with the roof – spoiled/shaled tiles. We then had a builder come round who quoted to replace these tiles for £770 (and another for £1000 plus). The builder said that I should have this done before I move in – I know he would say that to get the work asap but I would prefer this too before winter sets in and causes more damage.

I only had a basic survey done which did not pick this up – kind of wish I had a more comprehensive version but I’m not sure how thorough these surveys are...

Now I am trying to get the vendors to meet me half way of the £770 but they are refusing to do so. Was my request unreasonable?

I’m currently in rented and will give 2 months notice on exchange. So another option that would save me some cash would be to exchange as planned and push completion back by a month or so ...

On the other hand I really don’t want to annoy the vendors too much...

Advice please!

Cannon_Fodder

In the current market, for a vendor to refuse to find under £400 to secure the deal, is short-sighted.

If you don't buy, they will either have a wet winter or pay the full £770. On top of not moving on with their lives.

Depends how much other property is out there. Whether the market where you are is flat/dropping/rising.

Your old post; https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2265393 indicates the Bristol area;


[IMG]http://www1.landregistry.gov.uk/houseprices/housepriceindex/report/default.asp?g=1&gt=1&a=City+Of+Bristol&s=01 April 2010&e=01 June 2010&t=1[/IMG]


You don't say how good the deal you got was, in the first place.

If you are worried about upsetting them, it doesn't sound like you are the type to have pushed very hard on negotation.

Maybe review the rest of the market, use Propert Bee to see if there have been recent price drops in the area, to see if you are missing out on an even better property for the same money.

If the graph continues on it current course, the vendors might regret their decision.

wxy

Hi Cannon Fodder,

Thank you for your reply.

First thing first, I did not end up moving to Bristol in the end! Settled down in the Southeast (more expensive houses unfortunately).

I knocked 2.5% off the asking price in the end – I think it’s a fair deal given that the house was only on the market for less than a week when I put an offer in (according to the EA there were a couple of 2nd viewings booked in then – but I tend to take their words with a pinch of salt...).

I’m very happy with the house too and the roof is literally the only thing that is causing me any concern. Surely they can’t be surprised that a 1930/40s semi with an original roof would need some work doing? (I was relieved that we don’t need a new roof straight away!)

Think I’m surprised that they are not willing to move at all. But I don’t want to lose the house... perhaps I should give them the option:

Pay at least half for the repairs or complete a month later so they have to bear another month’s mortgage payment... and let them do the maths.

Maybe then they’ll realise that I’m not being unreasonable?

jozbo

wxy wrote: »

Pay at least half for the repairs or complete a month later so they have to bear another month’s mortgage payment... and let them do the maths.

Maybe then they’ll realise that I’m not being unreasonable?

That sounds the right way to go to me

wxy

Thank you for your support

I shall give it a go!

wxy

I just spoke to the EA and gave the vendors the two options... the EA reckons that they won’t go for either of them and the house would go back onto the market!

How silly is this? For the sake of less than £400...

Cannon_Fodder

Let them sleep on it, over the weekend.

missile

It cuts both ways. How silly is it to loose the house you want for £400?

I am not sure what spoiled/shaled tiles are?

wxy

No time for that I'm afraid...

Just got a call from the EA to notify me that they're putting it back on the market! Was the last call

giddypenguin

So sorry to hear that - gosh, that really is playing hard-ball for the sake of £400...

I guess, as their property was only on for a week before you made your offer, they feel that something simular will happen again. Maybe wait two months then make the same offer again?

wxy

I know! what a joke! well EA said it was the last call and I said I'd call him back. Guess I'll have to pay for it then!

Too far in now, I'm not gonna be stupid enough to walk away because of £400 (all the legal charges and mortgage arrangment fees amount to more than that!)