Redrow Incentives - Am I being unreasonable?

kellogz1993

Hi all,

First post here after a long time spent lurking and reading some fantastic advice from a great many of you.

My partner and I are really interested in reserving a new build property with Redrow in our local area. The asking price for the plot is just shy of £200k, and the plot has been available for reservations for quite a while now, 3 months or so, and is due to complete in February. We are in a position, as first time buyers, to move quite quickly, and have made this clear to our salesperson. However, we have tried to negotiate flooring throughout into the deal, as well as turf and fences.

The salesperson has been back and forth with us to advise that she absolutely cannot offer what we're asking, and the best she can do is offer spotlighting, tiling, and carpet in half of the house, totalling £6335. I was under the impression that in order to make a quick and easy sale, she would be able to offer incentives of up to 5% of the asking price.

My question is, am I being unreasonable to ask that they include flooring throughout as incentives, if we are willing to turf the garden ourselves and pay for the fencing?

Thanks!

HampshireH

Seems unusual they will only carpet half a house but not unheard of.

It's not unreasonable to ask but be prepared for them to say no. Especially if you have had a fair bit of back and forth ready.

Goodluck

kellogz1993

I thought it a little odd, too - originally she just offered us living room carpets but that has now been increased to all 3 bedrooms too. It's just the hall, stairs and landing that she won't budge on - which is quoted at an additional £590.

Thank you!

[Deleted User]

That is more than half the house. Shop around and see if you can get a similar quality carpet for less (for the stairs and hall) , and laid.

Putting it into perspective, you are paying £200k for a house, getting most of it carpeted inclusive, makes an extra £500 look not so huge.

Whether its worth it, depends on how much you like that particular house in that particular location. Decide if you are getting too locked into a particular deal. Which is more important, getting the deal u want or buying that particular house.

The art of negotiation also involves knowing when you have all you can get out of the seller.

D_M_E

You might do better if you know - or can find out - when their quarterly accounts are done.

A sale made just before then would give you a bit more leverage to get a bit more freebies if you can exchange before the end of quarter.

AdrianC

You have a choice. Accept that that's the best on offer - or walk away.


If demand for that particular type of property on that particular development is high enough that they're happy to let you walk, because they know it'll sell again quickly, then that's why there's not much on offer...

Tomg84

We're in the process of buying a new build. We aren't buying with Redrow though. It all depends on the development, demand etc. When buying our new build we made it clear that certain incentives were 'deal-breakers' and we would walk away if they were not included. After we left before we even got home they had called us to say they could do what we asked. I can't imagine carpets would cost much to the developer,

pimento

Tomg84 wrote: »

I can't imagine carpets would cost much to the developer,

Might they be eating into the salesperson's commission?

kellogz1993

The salesperson made it clear to us that this particular plot has been available for some time and has not sold - the other plots on the row have - and it's due to be completed and ready to live in in February. I assumed making the sale ASAP would be worth the extra £590 of carpets so I shall stand firm - carpets/floorings are what we'd call a deal breaker.

SmashedAvacado

Is the carpet any good ? That's unlikely. I would get the spotlighting done, and get as much cash off the purchase as possible, and then get my own flooring, so i can choose something more robust for the stairs, and more appropriate for children bedrooms etc. Developer carpet is usually poor quality and often not that well fitted. They will want this sale to happen this year so push them harder.

AdrianC

kellogz1993 wrote: »

The salesperson made it clear to us that this particular plot has been available for some time and has not sold - the other plots on the row have - and it's due to be completed and ready to live in in February. I assumed making the sale ASAP would be worth the extra £590 of carpets so I shall stand firm - carpets/floorings are what we'd call a deal breaker.

~£600 is a "dealbreaker"...?


How much would walking away cost you, in fees that you've already spent?