Does this seem a little suspicious?

evansmummy

We've scouted out a house we like and have arranged a viewing. In the meantime my husband has looked on nethouseprices and seen the current vendors have only been in the house less than a year and are selling for the same price.
My husband, being suspicious, had me calling the EA to check circumstances and they have said they have outgrown the house and want to upsize as they had small children. We saw the vendor when we were scouting the street out and their kids were nursery school age. How can a year make that much of a difference?
Am I right to be suspicious or being overly paranoid? How should I approach the situation on the viewing?
Any advice would be good, thanks

The_Drama_Llama

Sounds a bit weird - maybe they thought they could extend the house but discovered they couldn't. Maybe check planning applications at the COuncil?

hazyjo

People find it far harder to lie to others' faces, so arrange another viewing and ask the vendors why they're going - if they say for space, ask what changed in a year. Ask what the neighbours are like, parking, any disputes, etc. Is it a terrace? Definitely check planning applications in case something's been proposed in the near vicinity, or if next door's being turned into flats or something.

Keep it light and chatty and be as friendly as you can. Anything that appears like an interrogation will make them clam up or feel under pressure. I'd spread any questions over the whole viewing.

Jx

poppysarah

View several times to find out what the street is like. Friday and Saturday nights is good for a drive by or walk by (maybe borrow a dog if you don't have one) ... sometimes bumping into neighbours and asking them what the area is like is worthwhile.

paddedjohn

the wife may be pregnant and need more room for the baby, or they may just not be able to afford the house and are moving to a cheaper area.

VfM4meplse

hazyjo wrote: »

People find it far harder to lie to others' faces, so arrange another viewing and ask the vendors why they're going

Don't expect the truth though...if they have young children, it's likely they will say they are moving to be closer to family for support, or to be nearer to sick / elderly parents etc. You are right to be suspicious, selling at the same price means that whatever the vendor is running away from is worth the cost of moving in and out - several thousands of pounds at least.

evansmummy

thanks for all your feedback guys.
It's a semi on a street where 80% of the houses have been extended (that's our intention in the long run).

I don't want to intrude into their personal business but I am potentially spending 250k so have to be sure. I think the light approach is the way to go as I don't want to p*ss them off if I do want their house.
Poker face is not my strong point so I think I'll let me hubby deal with the nitty gritty.
I didn't know if I was being paranoid or whether I should listen to my nagging doubts

hazyjo

Yep, I agree. I know everyone says to ask the question, but it's often a waste of breath and I have been guilty of not asking...

But, if the agent's already said it's due to lack of space, and the buyer knows they've only been in a year, both of these bits of knowledge can be used to their advantage and they shouldn't begin with 'how come you're moving after only a year'. If they give the reason of outgrowing the house to the buyers' faces, the buyer can say 'after only a year?'. Yes, she might be pregnant with twins for all we know, but I'd definitely ask to their faces in a situation like that.

jx

paddedjohn

a lot is made of the fact they are selling for the same price after only a year, i would have expected this or maybe even a drop in price depending on the area in todays market.

MsHoarder

Not necessarily a neighbourhood problem, they wouldn't want to tell you if they were selling due to financial distress would they? Would put you in a position of strength and them at risk of their former neighbours finding out.

warehouse

Knock at a few neighbours houses, you'll soon get an idea. My own guess would be a bad neighbour, in which case you most certainly DO NOT want the house.