Viewed a house which we liked, what feedback to give?

KaratePigeon

We've been desperately looking for a house to buy after having an offer accepted on ours a few weeks ago. One came on the market Christmas eve which we went to view today. It ticks a lot of boxes (it's a 'sensible' choice rather than some others which I've loved but are probably completely impractical! I think it's the best one out there at the moment and we don't want to loose our buyers so will probably offer on it.

It seems well maintained, was built in the 1980s and has had no extensions, just half the garage has been converted into a study (is it still worth getting a structural survey done?) The only bad thing I noticed was that there is laminate flooring in nearly every room and it doesn't seem to have been fitted that well, there are a few gaps between the room thresholds and at the edges. Also on the landing it seems to be 'sunk', there is a noticeable dip along the length of the landing under the laminate. Is this likely to be anything serious? Floorboards need replacing? I didn't ask the vendor, should I have?

Not sure what to do next. It's priced as 380k which I think is optimistic, we've been looking at the market closely over the last few months and I think similar properties would be priced about 360k. I wouldn't want to pay more than about 365k tbh. But, it's only just gone on the market so not sure how likely they are to take an offer, they are relocating and moving into rented but I don't think they are in any rush. It's also on with Purple Bricks which doesn't help as I have no EA to talk to. I'm struggling to see what similar properties have sold for as the zoopla listing doesn't make sense, the property history (and that of others in the street) links to completely different houses (there is a new build development right behind it). The owner said he'd lived there for over 20 years.

I need to leave feedback online, I'll probably book a second viewing, just wondering whether I should leave feedback as being very keen, or state something like it's a bit overpriced? also is it appropriate to ask about the laminate floor issue?

The_Palmist

I would say book another viewing and politely ask how they reached the valuation. And please do ask about the dip...it could be nothing or could be dry rot.

Laminate not fitted properly is probably a small issue to worry about.

Bossypants

KaratePigeon wrote: »

just wondering whether I should leave feedback as being very keen, or state something like it's a bit overpriced?

If you can't get around the feedback thing, I would stick to something mildly positive, e.g. we like the house, or the street is nice. Honestly though, I'd avoid saying anything it unless it's some kind of system requirement for you to book your next viewing, it's designed to make you show your hand.

KaratePigeon

Thanks, asking how they reached the valuation sounds like a good idea. The feedback I need to give is a scale of 1 to 5 for presentation, suitability and price. Maybe I'll give 4 for everything, then it looks like I'm not too keen but not rude either?

The dry rot comment has worried me, I'm guessing the vendor is not likely to give an honest answer if it is something, how do I know?

goodwithsaving

Why do you need to give feedback?! Just request another viewing.
You don't need to tell estate agents everything they request......

robpw2

goodwithsaving wrote: »

Why do you need to give feedback?! Just request another viewing.
You don't need to tell estate agents everything they request......

i agree the feedback isnt relevant - the most important things is what you want to do next ..

Mickygg

KaratePigeon wrote: »

Thanks, asking how they reached the valuation sounds like a good idea. The feedback I need to give is a scale of 1 to 5 for presentation, suitability and price. Maybe I'll give 4 for everything, then it looks like I'm not too keen but not rude either?

The dry rot comment has worried me, I'm guessing the vendor is not likely to give an honest answer if it is something, how do I know?

Because if you have an offer accepted you get a full buildings survey done. But the difficulty with flooring though is the sellers are bound to say no to having the flooring lifted up to inspect, but you can insist and take it from there.

Cakeguts

Have any internal walls been removed downstairs that would have been supporting the landing?

KaratePigeon

Ok thanks, we didn't have a full survey done on our current house but I think I will this time. Do surveyors check for that sort of thing anyway, or would I have to specifically ask for them to?

No I don't think any walls have been removed.

I guess I'll just book a second viewing and ask. He did say they'd replaced all the carpets with laminate as it's 'nice and easy to clean'. Though they do have a dog so maybe that's why. It doesn't smell or anything and all looks fine, you can just feel the dip when you walk over it.

amateur_house

Mickygg wrote: »

Because if you have an offer accepted you get a full buildings survey done. But the difficulty with flooring though is the sellers are bound to say no to having the flooring lifted up to inspect, but you can insist and take it from there.

My survey said that a sub floor inspection was needed and the vendor wouldn't agree to it at first. They did eventually as the surveyor valued it at £0 meaning I couldn't get the mortgage. Turned out to be woodworm.

AlexMac

Noting your various issues or questions;

KaratePigeon wrote: »

We've been desperately looking for a house

1. half the garage has been converted into a study (is it still worth getting a structural survey done?)

2. The only bad thing I noticed was that there is laminate flooring in nearly every room and it doesn't seem to have been fitted that well, there are a few gaps between the room thresholds and at the edges.

3. Also on the landing it seems to be 'sunk', there is a noticeable dip along the length of the landing under the laminate. Is this likely to be anything serious? Floorboards need replacing?

4. I didn't ask the vendor, should I have?

5. Not sure what to do next. ... similar properties would be priced about 360k. I wouldn't want to pay more than about 365k tbh.

6. not sure how likely they are to take an offer, .

7. I need to leave feedback online, I'll probably book a second viewing, just wondering whether I should leave feedback as being very keen, or state something like it's a bit overpriced?

8. also is it appropriate to ask about the laminate floor issue?

My uninformed responses (based only on 40 years buying and selling my own places; ranging from 200-year old listed buildings, to auction wrecks and our current tidy 1986-built number) are

"We've been desperately looking for a house" Yeah, but don't act desperate

1. "garage converted - structural survey?" If you don't know much about buildings (as seems to be tha case?) and if there's no sign off by building control - yes. It's unlikely that it will be structurally unsound, or it would have moved, cracked or shown signs of damp by now, but when we did this last year the Building Inspector asked for (wholly unecessary) beefed up foundations across the former garage door (now a wall with window) and extra insulation , which is helpful. But don't just get a Homebuyers' Report and ask specific things of the surveyor; see also 3, below

2. " laminate flooring doesn't seem to have been fitted that well, gaps at thresholds and edges". No big deal. Probably a DIY job. Expansion gaps are good, trim or quadrant edging costs a few quid. Or rip it up and DIY yourself for £150-300 per room for materials including underlay. Or carpet over.

3. "(but) on the landing it seems to be 'sunk'; a noticeable dip along the length of the landing under the laminate. anything serious? Floorboards need replacing? " It's unlikely to be floorboards. This is a bit more puzzling; worth checking why

Assuming it's a conventional "suspended" floor ( structural joists below, with flooring planks or sheets nailed to them) and by "landing" you mean it's upstairs, I'm surprised there are dips of more than a fraction of an inch in a 1980's house. It could be shoddy, uneven work from original construction, or because a wall has been removed (unlikely in a landing?).

If upstairs, it's less likely to be damp-related damage to the timbers (joists) supporting the floor. A surveyor will not lift laminate or floorboards to check unless you require this, and the vendor may not play ball. But if the house is generally sturdy, and the joists and floors don't move about, a fix will be easy; a few hours' carpentry. But if by "dip" you only mean a few mm of movement it's probably down to the crummy laminate firring. I had a dip of half an inch in a hall floor in a 1980's conversion of a Victorian house, but fixed it by intelligent packing with underlay of differing thickness.

4. "I didn't ask the vendor, should I have?" No point. Nothing they say orally is binding. They won't know, may be keen to say the right thing, or even lie. Make your own assessment.

5. "Not sure what to do next. (worth £360k)... I wouldn't pay more than about 365k". Your call

6. "not sure how likely they are to take an offer" . Only one way to find out. Stress how good a buyer you are (sold... in funds... Solicitor ready to act...)

7. "I need to leave feedback online... wondering whether I should leave feedback as being very keen, or state something like it's a bit overpriced?" Don't give anything away. Say very little. If you play poker, you don't chat abot your hand. Purple Bricks just want to be stroked and to impress their buyer (who is possibly more desperate than you think; and a cheapskate if they are using PB?)

8. "appropriate to ask about the laminate floor issue?". No. Apart from being trivial, they won;t tell you anything. I wouldn't even bother with a survey, but then I have learned a lot about how houses work and I do sometimes take a trusted builder round.

I bet it will be OK. Don't over-think it. Make an offer a bit below your best and final. Best wishes, and good luck.