Taking the plunge and making an offer :)

AFK_Matrix

Hey well done and good luck with the rest of the buy. I am in exactly the same position as you now and had a similar thing with the offer. Its a 3 bed terraced house and was on for offers in excess of 160k and my budget was a very maximum of 153k. So I hadn't really been looking at this house as its far outside my budget but had been looking at other places with the EA. So the EA said come have a look at it and I thought why not its just round the corner. So had a look round and its lovely inside and far better than another house I had been offering on in the same road.

The EA said the property had had 2 offers of over 170k!! But these had fallen through so that made me think the owners were probably wanting to sell quickly. I said to the EA to see if the owners would take 153k and was honestly expecting a no answer. Got a phone call a little later from the EA saying could I go to 155k and I said no and he went back to the owners and they took a few days to think it over to see if they could buy what they wanted with the lower offer and I got a call from the EA saying they had accepted 153k :T.

So I am on holiday at the mo but come monday I will be booking in a mortgage appointment and am also looking for a soicitor too.

Rockaway_BabyDoll

Great stuff, AFK_Matrix! What area of the UK have you bought in? It's always worth a cheeky punt, isn't it? If I find a bargain of a solicitor I'll let you know - I've emailed about 15 to get quotes today.

kmmr

Well done Rockaway, and nicely played on the price! Sounds like a really good deal.

nollag2006

Well done you !!

Good to see more FTBs being able to get back into the market!

KateLiana27

Excellent negotiating skills

And good for you for sticking to your guns about not speaking to the EA's broker. You sound like you have your head screwed on right.

AFK_Matrix

Rockaway_BabyDoll wrote: »

Great stuff, AFK_Matrix! What area of the UK have you bought in? It's always worth a cheeky punt, isn't it? If I find a bargain of a solicitor I'll let you know - I've emailed about 15 to get quotes today.

The house is in Crawley which is basically Gatwick area, but not near the flight path lol!! Its actually round the corner from where I have been renting so the move should be easier!!

And its always worth a punt as all they will say is no. Got a bit put off by the other place I offered on as he had it on with the silly price guide thing at 149-157k so I put in a first bid of 150k and was rejected then did 151 as the EA hinted the owner was after 153k. I then get a phone call back from the EA saying don't contact the owner again with an offer unless its 155k!!! There is no need for the no contact part which is just nasty, so he lost me there and then silly owner.

I have also gotten 10 solicitors quotes back which range from 1000 to 1300. Not sure about going with a solicitor that isn't near as I assume you have to post stuff that needs signing back and forth?

Rockaway_BabyDoll

Just a quick update for anyone who's interested. It's been just over seven weeks since my offer was accepted. My mortgage is in place (3.34% with Yorkshire, yay!), the valuation successful, the full survey has been done (I'm waiting to receive a copy) and my solicitor has sent me the draft papers/lease/contract.

I believe my vendor's purchase has had a survey completed and her solicitor has received her seller's draft papers (they had to go back and forth between my vendor's seller and his ex-wife, which was a worry but hopefully they are on good terms). She's porting her mortgage so all is good.

Fingers crossed I'm in by Christmas

AFK_Matrix - I ended up using a family member as my solicitor (he's a partner in the firm). He's probably pricer than others but a) it keeps the money in my family; b) I know he'll do a sterling job (he sent me my documents a few days after receiving them from my vendor's solicitor and is keeping me fully informed) and c) he *might* give me a discount - initially he quoted me full rates but he's only asked for £65, as opposed to the standard £300, so far. I realise you wouldn't benefit from a) & c), but I'm happy to pass on his details

Next phase: decorating advice!