Neighbour's House

MickeyBlueEyes

Hi,

I currently live in an area that is perfect for my and my wife but are looking to start a family and would like a larger property.

My neighbour has the ideal property (corner plot, extended, big garden). She is 93 and bought the property new in 1950 and I have no idea if she is looking to sell and do not want to offend.

What do you think is the best way to approach? Say nothing and wait for it to come on the market one day? Write a letter? Knock on the door? We say hi and bye and send a Xmas card but that is about it as there is a sixty year age gap between us and we don't get to interact much.

We have lived here for six years and the area is sought after.

Any advice welcome.

Thanks

plumfin

I would knock on the door and explain. Perhaps phrase it as a real compliment that you love her house and you would like first refusal, if she should ever decide to sell. She may want to sell but is no sure how. You might find you are the answer she is looking for too. Good luck.

car0line123

I would just go and see her: explain that I love her house, and was wondering if she was considering selling at some point, as I would really be interested. I would explain that I completely understand she loves her home, but that I would kick myself for not asking if I buy something else and her house comes on the market a week later.
As long as you don't act like you are trying to kick her out, can't see what wrong it can do.

My neighbour who has been living in her house for more than 50 years, and she cannot picture herself anywhere else, so don't get your hopes up too much!

princeofpounds

I would write a letter, but given you 'know' her, I would hand deliver it and explain, very briefly, what it is about. Making it clear that you don't need/want to discuss it right there on the doorstep, taking her by surprise. The letter will also be useful in case she wants to discuss it with a relative later on.

In the letter, I would just say that you would like to upsize your property to meet the needs of a growing family, that you enjoy living in the area, and so if she should ever think about selling, that you would like to have the opportunity to discuss the possibility of buying.

It's not offensive to ask and briefly discuss, only to push it.

LEJC

TBH...i would leave her be....
At 93 she is unlikely to want to move even if she eventually needs nursing care I would imagine it would be a wrench to leave the house if she has lived there so long.


The house is probably going to require much updating to bring it in line with modern staandards ....is that something that would put you off if it were to be offered for sale in the future?
if it were me I would not pin my hopes on that particular house but look at others that would offer similar potential...and if in the next few years this house becomes available then you can consider it if you've not already made a move.

richy999

I suspect at her age, she doesn't want the hassle of selling up and moving somewhere else...you could always offer to part exchange.

MickeyBlueEyes

Thank you all for your advice.


My initial reluctance to approach directly is for the reasons LEJC mentioned; she must have many great memories in the house and even now she leads a full and active life with her grandkids etc. visiting regularly. It seems a bit off to wade in and ask to buy her house!


In terms of the d!cor and standard of the property; she has had it regularly updated so there would not be much work required (just cosmetic) and her garden is in better shape then mine due to her having a gardener there every few days!


I'm tempted to write a letter and hand deliver it and have a very quick chat using the points mentioned. I shouldn't pin my hopes on a house not for sale, but it really would be perfect! I would kick myself if it got sold to someone else.


The other reason I don't want to chat for too long is that we live in a quiet cul-de-sac and everyone would pretty much hear any conversation with my neighbour as she is hard of hearing now (bless her).


I wouldn't be able to p/x as my wife's parents would eventually move into the house we are currently in (both retired and happy to help with baby-sitting etc.) and we would hold onto this.


Thanks again.

Dan-Dan

So basically , you want to get in first in some way , even bearing in mind , for that to happen , she needs to be dead? , because its highly unlikely she`ll be moving isnt it , being 93 an all

She`ll see through you straight away , hopefully........and if she doesnt , a family member will , scuppering any deal you had in mind , i.e below market value or at the least trying to prevent the property reaching its true vlue , i.e a sale on an open market

tea-bag

Not sure on the letter bit, if you word it wrong it sound rude or pushy, Try approaching one of her kids they must have plans for it in the future, They may have plans now! I know if someone approached my 93 year old mother I might get funny!

Hard one.....

MickeyBlueEyes

Yes Dan-Dan, 'basically' I would like to have first refusal on the property and hence the request for advice as to how to approach this. Although nobody has to die to for that to happen as I would ask the same question if there were a middle aged couple living next door.


The rest of your post doesn't make any sense to me. There is nothing to 'see through' as I will be clearly asking that I want to purchase her house if she her were to sell.


Tea-bag it is a difficult one and I don't know her children at all.

Dan-Dan

MickeyBlueEyes wrote: »

Yes Dan-Dan, 'basically' I would like to have first refusal on the property and hence the request for advice as to how to approach this. Although nobody has to die to for that to happen as I would ask the same question if there were a middle aged couple living next door.


The rest of your post doesn't make any sense to me. There is nothing to 'see through' as I will be clearly asking that I want to purchase her house if she her were to sell.


Tea-bag it is a difficult one and I don't know her children at all.

Sorry , but your post is crass and easily identifiable as trying to prey on the weak , why on earth would a 93 year old woman want to all of a sudden sell her house ? , why cant you just wait until `the time comes` then approach the relatives , if you would be happy paying full market rate

If it were my mam and you`d been sniffing round , you`d be in some bother