Seller refuses to negotiate

Doozergirl

Good news that it's settled. Even £12k isn't a huge amount in comparison to what you're paying, but I'm glad they saw sense and also that the loft issue is sorted withoutou having to do more work!

Catbells

jozbo wrote: »

It is still up in the air... and looks like the 'other offer' was bogus, as so often is

Its an endurance test playing this game. You have to have a nerve of steel and the courage of your convictions. My advice if you are still keen on it is to keep in close touch with the agent so they know you are still lurking - and wait until they come to their senses. At the point they come back to you will know YOU are in the stronger position and the 'other offer' was just a ploy. Good luck. I'm glad its over for me (shouldn't say that yet but what the heck...)

p00hsticks

jozbo wrote: »

Thing is that if it was to go back on the market any future sale would throw up the same issues in the survey (unless the buyer was foolish enough/cajoled into just getting a valuation done - and that failed to spot the probs).

I'm going to play devils advocate here, and ask why everyone seems to assume that the seller is automatically in the wrong for not immediately reducing their price because of the survey results ? - As far as I can see the OP never gave any details on exactly what the faults were or how the price they were paying compared with similar proprties.

It's perfectly possible that if the faults are pretty obvious and acknowledged by the seller at the start e.g the property needs rewiring, or a new roof, or replacement windows, that this will have been taken into account by the sellers agents when pricing the property in the first place, and if that was the case, I don't think a potential buyer should necessarily assume that the seller will automatically reduce the price further when these defects are pointed out in a survey.

poppysarah

Catbells wrote: »

Thanks. They've seen sense and have met me half way. Am OK with that as they have also got a building certification from the LA to satisfy me with regard to the loft extension.

So you're only paying 6k over the odds?

Catbells

bris wrote: »

If you don't have a valuation survey, how do you know the price isn't fair even with the work needing done? The house might very well be value for money and priced accordingly.
Get a valuation and take it from there.

Thanks. Technically you are right.

I know the area very well indeed and have checked into other properties in the area, talked to local people living in the same street. The property has come down £45k from a couple of months ago and frankly I am happy now.

My survey showed it was structurally sound and the issues it threw up have been addressed to my satisfaction.

I could continue to request more off but have decided I'm happy with things as they are.

Catbells

poppysarah wrote: »

So you're only paying 6k over the odds?

Yes but in addition have the reassurance of the building certification on the loft extension which is worth something to me.

Catbells

p00hsticks wrote: »

I'm going to play devils advocate here, and ask why everyone seems to assume that the seller is automatically in the wrong for not immediately reducing their price because of the survey results ? - As far as I can see the OP never gave any details on exactly what the faults were or how the price they were paying compared with similar proprties.

It's perfectly possible that if the faults are pretty obvious and acknowledged by the seller at the start e.g the property needs rewiring, or a new roof, or replacement windows, that this will have been taken into account by the sellers agents when pricing the property in the first place, and if that was the case, I don't think a potential buyer should necessarily assume that the seller will automatically reduce the price further when these defects are pointed out in a survey.

I take your points.

a)I have researched the area and the prices of identical houses in the road sold within the last 2-3 years and am happy that the price is in line with these others.

b)The points thrown up by the survey (24 pages) were not visible when visiting the property and aren't structural. Its structurally sound. The work needing doing is made up of many, many disparate things - pointing, flashings, doorways, flooring, lighting, decorations etc.

I have also agreed to exchange and complete very quickly which is worth something too.

LandyAndy

Catbells wrote: »

I take your points.

a)I have researched the area and the prices of identical houses in the road sold within the last 2-3 years and am happy that the price is in line with these others.

b)The points thrown up by the survey (24 pages) were not visible when visiting the property and aren't structural. Its structurally sound. The work needing doing is made up of many, many disparate things - pointing, flashings, doorways, flooring, lighting, decorations etc.

I have also agreed to exchange and complete very quickly which is worth something too.

All those things ought to be visible when visiting the property.

Catbells

LandyAndy wrote: »

All those things ought to be visible when visiting the property.

NOt the flashings on the roof, not when you don't know (as I didn't) what constituted a 'loft conversion', not when the lights were off on day of visit, or when the decorations will need to be done following work to remedy previous damp problems which weren't noticed on day of visit. Or when you aren't expert to notice rotting wood painted over, or that brickwork needs repointing. I'm not a builder and neither are most viewers. I'm glad I had a surveyor do it for me.

LandyAndy

Catbells wrote: »

NOt the flashings on the roof, not when you don't know (as I didn't) what constituted a 'loft conversion', not when the lights were off on day of visit, or when the decorations will need to be done following work to remedy previous damp problems which weren't noticed on day of visit. Or when you aren't expert to notice rotting wood painted over, or that brickwork needs repointing. I'm not a builder and neither are most viewers. I'm glad I had a surveyor do it for me.

The lights weren't on? There's usually a small square plate by each door containing a lever. Moving the lever operates the lights.

Can't tell rotten wood from good? Can't tell if brickwork needs repointing? You don't need to be a builder for that:cool: but you do need to have your eyes open.