Neighbour's House

quidsy

Yes they are, some look for the negative side in people, others just take things at face value. OP wants to stay in area, lady has house op would love to buy, lady "happens" to be 93. No suggestion the op is ambulance chasing, no suggestion they are trying to rip frail old lady off. OP only asking for opinion on how, if at all, to approach the lady in case she was ever thinking of selling.

moneyistooshorttomention

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Yes, if I liked their house I would express my interest in case they ever thought of selling it. It is an accepted way of getting a house within your chosen area. Phil and Kirsty frequently leaflet a place on behalf of their clients . I would not be offended to receive such a letter. If I wasn't selling I would just ignore it.

Absolutely.:T

I'd throw it in bin if I thought it came from anyone NFH might know and think "cheeky mare" and think no more of it. If it came from someone else, my response would be "How much are you offering?" (though with no great expectations they would offer enough to make it worth my while to accept). Having said that, I think a builder has an eye on my plot (having realised how big and well-placed it is)....well...yer never know yer luck....:rotfl:

I also knew very well my last house was in a good school catchment area and, sure 'nuff, come the time I sold it that was the reason my buyer wanted it.

Dan-Dan

quidsy wrote: »

Yes they are, some look for the negative side in people, others just take things at face value. OP wants to stay in area, lady has house op would love to buy, lady "happens" to be 93. No suggestion the op is ambulance chasing, no suggestion they are trying to rip frail old lady off. OP only asking for opinion on how, if at all, to approach the lady in case she was ever thinking of selling.

Except perhaps not , they love the IDEA of the ladys house , they even admitted as much in this thread that it might need lots of work etc , could be a case of maybe not , after all...

Let the woman live in peace , plenty of time to circle after the event

MickeyBlueEyes

Thank you for all your responses. They have genuinely split me with regard to the next course of action.


For me now it keeps coming back to the 'distress' element. In no way would I want to distress the neighbour or bring any stress to her life and this is making me not want to ask the question.


On the other hand a simply question/request/prompt gently worded or communicated with no pressure etc...would it really be so terrible?


I asked my grandparents today what they would do if someone asked them about their property. They said they get estate agents posting all the time about marketing their house and if their neighbour sent something similar it wouldn't bother them one bit...they aren't moving but would ask them first when the time came to it...don't see what the fuss is about!


That said, the potential emotional element is steering me towards saying nothing.


Which flies in the face of my usual thought processes of 'don't ask, don't get' and communicating in life.


With regard to asking if the neighbour was 43, yes I would. I would ask to be considered if they ever thought of moving and would have already asked.

moneyistooshorttomention

It's a house and not in the general category of "possessions" iyswim.

Its commonplace to ask for first refusal on a house, whatever the age of a person is.

Though, at my (rather younger) age I've had a workman comment on an item in my house and say how much he liked it and ask for "first refusal" if I ever decide to sell it. I was surprised (but then workmen in the area I have now moved to have been surprising me in one way and another ever since I moved here), but just agreed and mentally noted in case.

In this case, it may be that the neighbour is now finding the house a bit much for her and might consider it to her benefit to get a smaller/more easily managed place. She may or may not and different people will have different views on that, but there are many older people reporting that (for whatever reason) they would move to a more manageable place if they could and we have no way of knowing whether she's a "would like to mover" or a "going out the door feet first-er". She could be either.

The_Druid

If you don't (tactfully, respectfully) let her know of your interest, then you may lose the opportunity to buy it, because someone else may persuade her to give THEM first refusal.

Mistermeaner

A tricky one

My inclination would be not to speak to the elderly lady directly as no matter how tactfully worded it is likely to be misinterpreted when repeated on.

I would however look for an opportunity to speak to one of her children when they visit, introduce yourself and explain your thoughts particularly regards not wanting to a approach the old lady direct. They should respect that and can either tell you get stuffed, bring it up with mum themselves, tel l you to talk direct to mum or nothing else bare you mind for the future.

However if I was them I would note your interest but still insist on inviting bids from the market- assume you need to sell to buy where there may be a cash buyer out there who would be more attractive even at the same price.

Norman_Castle

If you're very keen to buy this house I would speak to her and explain that you feel unsure about asking but would hate to miss the opportunity to buy the house. Also explain you are happy to pay the full market value and suggest that if she chooses to sell that she discusses it with her family.
Do you have a timescale to move?. If you expect to move in the next few years tell her this so she has plenty of time to consider your interest.

Above all, be friendly. She is a neighbour. If she decides not to sell show her there are no Ill feelings.