Wwyd

Socrat

I am feeling really down about the whole house buying business and am interested in other people's opinions.
The area I have to buy in has issues with deleterious materials used in hardcore.
I offered on one property, surveyor highly recommended to test for potential damage, vendor refused. Houses in immediate vicinity had serious issues with their floors/foundations so I pulled out.
Found another property. Asked if the vendor would be happy to do the test if the survey showed a need. They said they would. Survey done, floors in the house are uneven, vendors changed their minds about the test.

What next? Any house I go for in the area will come up with the same question. Most vendors, I guess, won't want to test as it's disruptive and worst case scenario, if the house tests positive, they either can't sell or have to fix it which is crazy expensive.
From a buyer's point of view, it's crazy risky to buy without a survey but if every survey recommends it tested... I am spinning in circles... ☹️

The only thing I can think of is to buy very cheap which would leave more money in the bank for any potential repair work...
I can't buy elsewhere.
Any thoughts if anyone has made it to the end?

Bossypants

If this is a major concern to you, the only thing you can do is, if the vendor refuses the test, offer what you would have offered had a test been allowed and been positive. Otherwise, you will just have to be patient and wait for someone who has done/will do the test to sell up, and hope that their house (and price) otherwise suits your needs.

Socrat

Yes, it is a major concern to me as repair work means digging up the floors and replacing both the hardcore and the slab, which I just couldn't afford. ☹️
Thank you.
Next one, I won't even do the survey but go straight for the kill and ask about the test. �� With my luck, it would test negative but have a major problem I wouldn't know about because I wouldn't have the survey. ��

kingstreet

In places with historically high red ash use, vendors are pretty much resigned to a test being part of the selling process. In fact many who have purchased in the last ten to fifteen years may still have their test results which should enable you to relax a bit.

In places with a recent guarantee/invoice for a sub-floor damp-proof membrane, that would also indicate the problem has been mitigated.

Is this a recent problem in the area you describe?

Socrat

It seems that a lot of people around here aren't aware of the issue and don't bother with surveys at all (people moving into the area from other parts of the UK).
It's a historical problem but I have heard of a few people having problems more recently too (fewer though).

FestiveJoy

Socrat wrote: »

I am feeling really down about the whole house buying business and am interested in other people's opinions.
The area I have to buy in has issues with deleterious materials used in hardcore.
I offered on one property, surveyor highly recommended to test for potential damage, vendor refused. Houses in immediate vicinity had serious issues with their floors/foundations so I pulled out.
Found another property. Asked if the vendor would be happy to do the test if the survey showed a need. They said they would. Survey done, floors in the house are uneven, vendors changed their minds about the test.

What next? Any house I go for in the area will come up with the same question. Most vendors, I guess, won't want to test as it's disruptive and worst case scenario, if the house tests positive, they either can't sell or have to fix it which is crazy expensive.
From a buyer's point of view, it's crazy risky to buy without a survey but if every survey recommends it tested... I am spinning in circles... ☹️

The only thing I can think of is to buy very cheap which would leave more money in the bank for any potential repair work...
I can't buy elsewhere.
Any thoughts if anyone has made it to the end?

What would I do?

I would think carefully over why I thought I had to buy a house in such a reknowned, blighted location.

:rudolf::xmastree::rudolf:

FestiveJoy

Socrat wrote: »

It seems that a lot of people around here aren't aware of the issue and don't bother with surveys at all (people moving into the area from other parts of the UK).
It's a historical problem but I have heard of a few people having problems more recently too (fewer though).

Perhaps you could do something about that?
Put up some posters? An advertising campaign? Knock on some doors?

There's even an MSE board specially for campaigns

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=266

moneyistooshorttomention

Guessing you're in Cornwall? - and that there's a bit of a thing going on amongst many vendors locally of "We know the locals here will 'know' what's what - but hopefully incomers won't and we'll sell to them and not care"??

Is that what is happening in your area?

I know there are areas of the country where there is a noticeable problem that is widespread and vendors will try and "catch the unwary" (ie sell to incomers instead):cool:

AdrianC

If it was really such a big problem, there would be no property sales in the area. It's that simple. No lender would be willing to lend. No cash buyer with the faintest hint of savoir-faire would be willing to risk it.

The other option is that you're over-worrying.

Socrat

Moneyistooshorttomention and Adrian, I think it's a mix of what you two said. It IS a problem, some areas are worse than others and yes, people are probably hoping that the question won't come up.
According to one agent, they have had a few vendors happily agree to test.

I absolutely AM over worrying. Sadly, I can't escape that, which is why I seek an expert's opinion on stuff I am not confident about, like houses. So when an expert tells me that it definitely needs investigated, I want to investigate. I know the surveyor is a massive pessimist and probably over cautious (covering his own behind) but I don't have the experience to differentiate so need to go with what he says.
I have no older family members or anyone else experienced enough to consult so surveyor it is. ��

Socrat

AFF, the children would have to change schools if I did. I would have to change my job... Not easy.