Share Your Stories Of How You Managed to Negotiate A Bargain When Buying Your House

Davesnave

I agree, there's some great advice here, some of which I can illustrate with our one example.

We did our research over 3 years, including a couple of years of viewings to get a feel for the areas & type of smallholding property we wanted. (Research)
We sold our house (4 times!:eek:) moved into rented and looked for properties where buyers were 'motivated.'(Abilty to move fast)

We were looking in parts of Wales, Herefordshire, and much of the Westcountry. (Flexibility.)

After 6 months we found it. Someone needed to relocate asap, so we offered to buy for cash and without any mucking about with surveys etc. (Be decisive & helpful, though not in this way, unless you know what you are doing!)

Despite the above, I found problems with the title deeds which couldn't be ignored. While we waited for them to be sorted, someone jumped in with a gazump attempt. The vendors agent & solicitor turned rather hostile and nearly messed things up, so we visited the vendors directly and talked things through. We made it plain we would not increase our offer, but that we'd exchange as soon as the paperwork could be sorted. (Be pleasant and honest, but stay firm.)

The paperwork was sorted and we exchanged & completed more or less on time. The vendor left quite a few useful things for us and their family members still living here are friendly. (Don't forget your reputation!)

All the above sounds grand, so I won't mention the one we offered on and then withdrew, or the one that got away! :rotfl:

san09

I've really got alot to learn.
Thanks for all your good advice. I'll take it on board.
Hope it helps others in the same boat.
x

Procrastinator333

san09 wrote: »

Wow, I really need to get more of a system and plan in place if I'm going to get a good deal.
I also need to keep more of a cool head as I'm absolutely rubbish at negotiating. It just doesn't sit comfortably with me.
All the EA's I've come across have made me feel like I'm a crazy person when putting an offer in at even 10% below asking price! I wouldn't mind but property really isn't shifting in my part of the country.
The only houses selling in any numbers are really cheap ones in areas I dont want to buy in.
The houses I'm interested in I'm guessing people have gone in over their heads to buy so are not in a position to sell at a lower price. Either that or they're not being realistic.
All your stories really are inspiring to do my homework on this.

I appreciate this is easy to say, but u do have to accept you will be laughed at by the EA at times. Sometimes they may agree with your price, but know the vendor will say no. So they may as well try and make u feel silly. Sometimes your offer will be silly. One prop, on at £285k, new to Market. We viewed. Offered £250k. EA basically said we were wasting everyone's time and that we should look at others within our budget. Worth a punt, but he was right, it went for £280k a week later (seen the lr record). But just remember, you are only buying 1 property, so such comments really don't matter!

The_Palmist

propertyman wrote: »

Saw it on the Saturday and exchanged Tuesday lunchtime and completed the following Friday.

All searches in one day ?