Making an offer - what about furniture & furnishings?

playaz

Hi guys - I am looking at a property that I am considering putting an offer on, at the moment I am concerned about the furniture & furnishings. I have been told I should state what I'd like the vendor to leave & then put an offer on the table.

What are you thoughts on this? I'd probably want them to leave items such as the washing maching (just as its hassle to have a new one installed) - but what else should I really be asking to be left at the property.

Also - I am worried, if I put in a 'lower' offer than they want but accept - can they then just before they leave start ripping up flooring, cabling, doors etc.. just to 'pee me off'

Thanks in advance

hazyjo

Expect them to say no... but it's worth trying to get it included.

Really, it's not that much hassle to install a new one. It's just the cost of buying it that's the pain!

Curtains and poles are another common one that are asked to be left. If you don't like them, don't bother. Chances are, they'll leave blinds and/or curtain poles anyway (and maybe take the curtains).

People expect a lower offer. You're not forcing them to accept! The only time I'd think someone may be vindictive is if you hold them to ransom and drop the offer at the last minute (exchange) or demanded items then.

Jx

Mr_Moo_2

Second hand white good aren't worth a lot, but sometimes it can be worth offering if it is convenient - e.g. washing machine in a third floor flat. But generally if you offer, offer low.

If your offer is accepted, your seller will complete a fixtures and fitting list stating what they will leave, take, and accept offers on - this ultimately forms part of your contract so if they breach this you can (in theory at least) take action. In practice is if often not worth the time and effort to pursue minor issues in this respect.

playaz

Sorry - I forget to mention, the vendor is moving into an old peoples home (is the correct PC term used nowadays?) so they physically won't have much need for the furniture unless potential children may want these items for themselves.

TBagpuss

once an offer has been accepted they will have to fill in a fixtures and fittings form which is pretty detailed and shows what they will be leaving and wha they will be taking, and if they take things which they were supposed to leave you would be entitled pursue them for any costs incurred as a result.

In terms of what you'd like them to leave, you can *ask* whether the washing machine would be included in the sale. Unless it is explicitly stated in the sales particulars, or is built in, then it would not typically be left, but you can offer to buy it it. Obviously you will then need to come to an agreement with the vendors as to what you will be paying for the washing machine or for anything else you want them to leave.

Bear in mind that while it may be more convenient for you if they leave the washing machine, it is only more convenient for them if the place they are buying comes with a machine, or if they want to buy a new one - they may feel it is a lot less hassle to move the familiar one they have.

You could also enquire about buying curtains / blinds (if you like the style) as you get ones which fit the windows.

hazyjo

TBagpuss wrote: »

In terms of what you'd like them to leave, you can *ask* whether the washing machine would be included in the sale. Unless it is explicitly stated in the sales particulars, or is built in, then it would not typically be left, but you can offer to buy it it. Obviously you will then need to come to an agreement with the vendors as to what you will be paying for the washing machine or for anything else you want them to leave.

Personally I wouldn't ask if it's being left if not included on the particulars (presume 'no'). But if I wanted it, I would see if I could get it included in the sale when making my offer. If no, see if they're willing to sell at a price. I wouldn't pay more than around £50 (depending on age/condition). Might be worth not mentioning it on first offer, then going up in price on second or third offer saying you'll up it if they include the washing machine. Often helps.

Jx

Errata

playaz wrote: »

Sorry - I forget to mention, the vendor is moving into an old peoples home (is the correct PC term used nowadays?) so they physically won't have much need for the furniture unless potential children may want these items for themselves.

Might be worth discussing what they might like to sell to you - cabinet furniture will be worth coppers unless it's Sheraton and upholstered furniture should be checked with a damp meter.

Road_Hog

Gawd, I'm old enough (I'm only 48) to remember the days when you negotiated on the carpets and curtains being left and if they didn't pay, people actually took the carpet.

Now, if I'm selling a property, I want to leave everything. In fact I'd be stating that the buyer has to except all the stuff is included and it is his responsibility to get a van to take the stuff down the dump that he doesn't want.

witchy1066

Road_Hog wrote: »

Gawd, I'm old enough (I'm only 48) to remember the days when you negotiated on the carpets and curtains being left and if they didn't pay, people actually took the carpet.

Now, if I'm selling a property, I want to leave everything. In fact I'd be stating that the buyer has to except all the stuff is included and it is his responsibility to get a van to take the stuff down the dump that he doesn't want.

NO WAY, how lazy, that will be an interesting inventory for the solicitor to go through :rotfl:

I have told my seller and his EA that I would like all his stuff to be moved out ,
why should anyone have to have the hassle of sorting someone's rubbish,
I personally have enough of my own to sift through before moving

its different if you want to negotiate for certain items ,

I told my seller I didn't want anything, he has offered to leave window blinds ,knowing it will be 4 weeks before we can get new ones fitted , also they are of no use to him as he is moving in with his parents, i appreciate the gesture but certainly will not be offering to pay for them

jamie11

It's very common here in Spain to sell a place 'all-in'. It means the buyer can move in immediately and have somewhere to sleep and sit. We took this place over complete with unmade beds and dirty sheets, clean ones in the cupboard though. Now we're thinking of selling and will only want to take our personal items with us (downsizing).

phoebe1989seb

Road_Hog wrote: »

Gawd, I'm old enough (I'm only 48) to remember the days when you negotiated on the carpets and curtains being left and if they didn't pay, people actually took the carpet.

Now, if I'm selling a property, I want to leave everything. In fact I'd be stating that the buyer has to except all the stuff is included and it is his responsibility to get a van to take the stuff down the dump that he doesn't want.

I'm a bit younger and I can't remember it personally, but do know that when my parents sold their first house in the mid 1960s, they took several carpets - including the stair carpet :eek: - with them......

Regarding your second point, I'm of the opposite school of thought - I'd want to take virtually everything (and with the exception of one move - where we were downsizing significantly - we always have) as we have furniture/furnishings that are of great value to us, having been collected over a number of years

We did once buy a house that had over 50 items of the PO's (it was previously four flats and the stuff was all cheap rubbish) furniture in situ when we moved in.........that went straight in the skip If a vendor tried that one on us today though, we'd be pretty peed off :mad: