Buying furniture from vendor

move2k15

Hi, I have a few questions.... any advice welcome....

I am buying somewhere that has been used as a 2nd home/holiday let so full of stuff that the vendor is happy to sell to me as they have no real need for any of it. The stuff is ok and as I am FTB with nothing, it would help me out to have a few things to start me off but none of it I would be desperate enough over to pay over the odds.

Firstly, is this something to channel through EA or solicitors? I don't really want to complicate things by me emailing sol, who will email vendor's sol who will email vendor and back and forth.

Secondly,what's the best way to say "I would like to buy x,y,z for £ and if you want to leave a,b,c too that's fine but they are not really worth paying for?". Should I be looking at places like gumtree/ebay for price guide or asking vendor what his price is?

I am clearly a bit rubbish at negotiating so bit worried I am going to pay over the odds for a bit of 2nd hand furniture!!

Guest101

It's going to cost him to remove, store, sell too, dont forget.

So in reality you should be paying maybe 60% of the 2nd hand value.

So a 2 year table bought for £100, is about £55-60 2nd hand, you should pay £40-45 at most - and that's in a good/excellent condition

Errata

If the vendor wants to sell the furniture ask them to list exactly what they want to sell and a price for each piece - then compare on ebay.
Don't use the EA or solicitor for the transaction - buying it is no different to buying it from an ad in the newspaper or from your cousin Ethel - you have a look and make a decision.

G_M

2nd hand value is notoriously low - many sellers who have paid the 'new' price have unrealistic expectations. eg a new fridge costing £300 will go on ebay 2nd hand for £30. Assuming it works.

So yes, check ebay/gumtree for prices before doing anything.

If the seller has no use for the items (as is likely in a 2nd home), what will he do if you don't want them? He'll either pay someone to take them to the dump, or spend hours on ebay selling them off for very little money but a lot of hassle, or he'll chuck £50 to a house clearance company who will take the lot (or maybe even charge him!)

Easiest way is to do a viewing with the seller there, and discuss each item. Agree a price. Then tell your respective solicitors.

Otherwise, make the agent earn his commission and act as go-between.

You'll often find that sellers leave stuff anyway. Fitted curtains, blinds & carpets, that would be no use anywhere else, often just get left......

hieveryone

I sold some items of furniture including white goods to my buyer, and went through the solicitor. They included a clause about how there was no warranty given and items were to be inspected by the buyers before purchasing.

I was happier with this as it meant no 'come-back' should the washing machine have decided to break down the following week.

move2k15

Thanks. I guess I don't want to be rude by throwing pennies at him but equally I don't want to pay over the odds. It would be handy to have beds/sofa/table etc.

I basically offered the full asking price on house (missed out on property a month ago to cash buyer, which then fell through so snapped it up). I think the EA and vendor know I am a massive keeno and love house so I feel a bit like they'll take the pi55 a little bit with this as well as they think I am a mug, Which I guess I am!! For example, on the F & F form he's suggested £150 for washing machine which I think is a lot!

Daerve

It is a lot, if I get asking price for mine I'm willing to chuck the cooker and washing machine in for free.

Counter offer a grand for everything. It'll be so much hassle for the vendor to get rid of it all they might bite.

Errata

£150 for a WM that's god knows how old and been abused by holidaymakers? He really is having a laugh.

Kat88

I would offer a price for the lot, listing what you would like, and leave it as a take it or leave it offer. If they decide to say no, let them take away the items and sell them elsewhere and you can use eBay/gumtree/free cycle to get the items you need at a reasonable price. Buying the house for full asking price is one thing, but it doesn't mean they can over inflate the prices of bits in the property you'd be willing to take off their hands because you are keen. I appreciate it would be easier for you to just have what's already in there but there is no point in paying over the odds... Buying a house is expensive enough as it is!

G_M

Agree with the comments above.

If he insists on silly money, just say no. You can then get everything off ebay cheaper (or free off Freecycle!) yourself.

Worth checking out local auctions too. That's where a lot of house clearance stuff ends up and you an pick up a complete house-full of furniture for peanuts! (as long as you have access to a van for the day......)

Richard_Webster

Generally the items will be listed on or as an addition ot the Fixtures, Fittings & Contents List supolied by the Seller's solicitors. Your solicitors will send you a copy and can make an offer and negotiate through them or direct,.

The important thing is how the money for the items is paid. You may think you have agreed to give the seller a separate cheque when you see him on completion day. If so make 200% sure the seller has instructed his solicitor that is what is to happen.

Too many times we have got to completion and I tell the seller's solicitor I am sending £xxx,xxx and he says he wants another £250 for the furniture - that's what was agreed and it was to be paid through the solicitors with the completion money. My buyer client hasn't told me anything about this and when I phone him he says that it was agreed he would give the seller a cheque. What happened was that seller told his solicitor about the £250 and solicitor said he would collect it with the completion money. Seller forgot to tell buyer about change of plan.

It is therefore better for the money to be added to the completion money - that way seller gets cleared funds in due course - no reliance on cheques not bouncing.