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Buying Off Plan

RainbowLily
Posts: 11 Forumite
Hi All,
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of buying off plan recently, and especially with Persimmon homes.
We offered £287,000 inc Stamp Duty and £500 of legal fees, which they turned down, but then came back about a week later saying "Does you offer of £287,000 still stand"
My OH went back saying do you mean our offer of £287,000 inc Stamp Duty etc, to which they said no - we only offered £287,000.
They had our offer wrong, and they're now messing us around claiming they didn't say things they definitely said.
House price: £299,995 (Other houses on same estate of this type are only £289,995
They've pushed back house build until December 2016
I feel like they only upped the price as they knew we were interested. The one at £289,995 hasn't even had an offer!
Any guidance on experiences you've had would be gratefully received.
Thank you!!
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of buying off plan recently, and especially with Persimmon homes.
We offered £287,000 inc Stamp Duty and £500 of legal fees, which they turned down, but then came back about a week later saying "Does you offer of £287,000 still stand"
My OH went back saying do you mean our offer of £287,000 inc Stamp Duty etc, to which they said no - we only offered £287,000.
They had our offer wrong, and they're now messing us around claiming they didn't say things they definitely said.
House price: £299,995 (Other houses on same estate of this type are only £289,995
They've pushed back house build until December 2016
I feel like they only upped the price as they knew we were interested. The one at £289,995 hasn't even had an offer!
Any guidance on experiences you've had would be gratefully received.
Thank you!!
0
Comments
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Many people will have bad things to say about Persimmon and new builds in general.
I think times have changed since 2011/2012 when really good deals were there to be done. In addition, you're probably negotiating at a bad time of year - check when persimmons accounts are published, they will get more desperate to do deals nearer the end of the financial year.
You may have more luck going back and simply saying £280,000 and pay the legal fees and SDLT yourself (Unless you were hoping to get a capital sum from the builders for the SDLT).0 -
The say they'll accept £287,000 from us now, but I think the sales agent has messed that up for us due to never asking for the stamp duty on our behalf.
We can pay the stamp duty in December once the house is built - I was just hoping for a bit more of a deal on the house, especially when they hinted the house was going to be £289,995 initially.0 -
The only figure that's even remotely relevant is what you both agreed on. Previous asking prices, other houses, whatever - they don't make one bit of difference.
It would have been MUCH simpler if you'd just offered them a nice simple figure, instead of confusing matters by including SDLT and some random number towards your legal fees wrapped up in it. Call it £282,500 for round numbers, and that's £4,125 SDLT due, taking you to £286,625 + legals.0 -
I guess it's really down to whether you love the property or not. If you do, are you willing to risk losing it for 2% of the value of the property? If I liked the property, I'd be minded to go back and say look our offer was 287k+sdlt and sols fees. But you'd be prepared to offer £287k or whatever and then ask for some extras if you're minded to get any. That way you're saving something in terms of cash flow in not having to stump up funds for extras immediately. If you're using their recommended solicitors (I'd advise against it) they will probably chuck in legals anyway.0
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It was actually the lady in the show home that suggested we included the stamp duty.
I've tried to do some research and it seemed like people were getting deals rather than money off properties, so I thought that it was worth a try.
As I said, we are first time buyers and although I know she's a sales woman for Persimmon, she was very good in advising us in the lead up to them releasing the house prices.
We did initially offer them a nice round figure, which they just turned down. They said they weren't willing to do deals as its too early. We thought we'd try it anyway, and if they said no, they said no, and we'd look elsewhere. They've come back to us. after they initially turned it down (although trying to claim we never asked for the SD to be included).
I don't believe anyone other than a cash buyer can buy this house right now or they'll be in the same position as us and not be able to exchange until at least July so that the mortgage offer is still in place - so I think we are in a strong position to hold out a little bit with them. First time buyers with no chain etc.
I guess if they want to put it on the market, they will - I'm just a little frustrated with them offering us one thing and then taking it back.0 -
I guess it's really down to whether you love the property or not. If you do, are you willing to risk losing it for 2% of the value of the property? If I liked the property, I'd be minded to go back and say look our offer was 287k+sdlt and sols fees. But you'd be prepared to offer £287k or whatever and then ask for some extras if you're minded to get any. That way you're saving something in terms of cash flow in not having to stump up funds for extras immediately. If you're using their recommended solicitors (I'd advise against it) they will probably chuck in legals anyway.
Thanks MrJB. I think I'll see if they will chuck anything like the flooring in, although, I'm going to assume they will hold their ground for a while. Such a waiting game this house buying stuff - not sure I can cope with all this!0 -
RainbowLily wrote: ».
I don't believe anyone other than a cash buyer can buy this house right now or they'll be in the same position as us and not be able to exchange until at least July so that the mortgage offer is still in place - so I think we are in a strong position to hold out a little bit with them. First time buyers with no chain etc.
I guess if they want to put it on the market, they will - I'm just a little frustrated with them offering us one thing and then taking it back.
I wouldn't bet on the former....
They can offer you the moon but until contracts are exchanged it means nothing..0
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