Do we stall seller or walk away?

DirtyLion

We were planning to put our house on the market in s few months when necessary improvements have been made. Unfortunately my husband started installing a new kitchen in a different part of the house but it's taking ages due to the very unexpected arrival of our 2nd child so the house is an absolute tip at the moment. A house we've liked for ages has just been reduced in price and we'd like to put an offer in but we need at least a few weeks to get our house ready to sell. Houses in our area generally sell quickly but we just need time to get it at least near enough finished and tidied up. The house we like has another offer on the table although we've been told it's significantly lower than the asking price so unlikely to be accepted. The seller and agent know we're interested so are understandably putting the pressure on us to get our house on the market and put an offer in, they don't know the reason why it's not already on the market.

What do we do? Keep stalling and making excuses while we get the house ready, put in an offer anyway or just walk away for now accepting that the time isn't right? It's a frustrating situation to be in, a few months down the line and we could've moved quickly. Any advice?

hazyjo

You won't be taken seriously without a buyer so it's pointless offering.


Only view properties if you are not going to get emotionally attached. I'm looking with a view to moving next April but, although have been sad some have come and gone, I know I'm not in a position to do anything about it yet.


Not sure why you can't tell them. It'll just be a few weeks. They may hang on if they think you'll offer more.


Of course, they may be telling other viewers that they have an offer on the table, and that you are also wanting to buy it, thus making it more appealing to others (human nature!).


Do the work as quickly and efficiently as you can. Then put it on the market. That's all you can do.


(Please don't look for advice on bridging loans!)


Jx

dc197

Just hurry up and get your house ready. If you want to move this is inevitable anyway, so JFDI.
You're not an attractive buyer and your offer is likely to be declined if yours is not even on the market.

Rain_Shadow

DirtyLion wrote: »

. Unfortunately my husband started installing a new kitchen in a different part of the house but it's taking ages due to the very unexpected arrival of our 2nd child ?

How long has it taken him? Surely he had the best part of nine months warning?

DaftyDuck

Speaking as a DIY bloke, when things go too slowly or are too difficult, get a bloke in to finish the job. Us DIY men are often slow. Yours has a kid to play with, even to do some of the work.

Find out how much a handyman or kitchen fitter would charge to finish the job, get it done, and move on swiftly.

Don't try and stall. You will upset the seller and the agent, and probably won't get the property. If the house is worth it, it's worth the spend to get the job finished pronto.

xylophone

In these circumstances, I'd "get a man who can" in as soon as possible and be done with it.

pinkteapot

DirtyLion wrote: »

Unfortunately my husband started installing a new kitchen in a different part of the house

Does the house have two kitchens at the moment? Depending on what's installed/ready to use in each, this may make it tricky for your buyers to get a mortgage. Many lenders won't lend on a house with two kitchens.

Onawingandaprayer

DirtyLion wrote: »

due to the very unexpected arrival of our 2nd child

No clues as to what might have caused it?

NewHomeOwner_2

DirtyLion wrote: »

but it's taking ages due to the very unexpected arrival of our 2nd child

How unexpected can a baby be? :rotfl:

DirtyLion

Very, as it happens but that's a long story for another day.

Yes the house has 2 kitchens (well one and a half really) but of course the tiny original kitchen will be removed before it goes on the market.

Thank you all for the advice, we'll try our best to get the house sorted and on the market asap.

kazwookie

Get a local handyman / building company in to help you with finishing the new kitchen and removing the old one.