Found a house - but getting lots of mixed signals

Tom86gg

We’re a pair of first time buyers, although through my business have purchased and sold a residential property so am familiar to some extent with process.

Been searching with partner for 6 weeks or so, and have met lots of agents and seen lots of places.

House we found and went on a second viewing for ticks a lot of boxes, and we do really love it. Unfortunately process has been:

- booked initial viewing
- viewing cancelled as “vendor hasn’t completed work he was hoping to have completed”
- got a viewing sorted and went to see it. Agent 1 very disinterested but not rude, just not anywhere near as professional as numerous other agents we’ve met
- house was rented to students, new boiler installed new radiators. Agent said reason for cancelled viewing was so heating was working
- conservatory has a smashed ceiling glass panel, apparently workman dropped something on it and it’s being sorted
- other work looked shabby, exposed piping in wall above new boiler etc
- other than that seemed shabby but nice and no big issues,
- some tools and whatnot around
- booked second viewing 2 weeks later
- conservatory roof still not fixed, looks like tools haven’t moved an inch
- and the first floor window above conservatory removed, allowing wind and rain to blow into newly painted room!
- agent 2 very combative, even very rude. We always make an effort to be courteous and polite
- myriad of small issues - all vendor is aware of and promises it’ll be fixed (eg no back fence, tap doesn’t work, misaligned windows)

Missing window is bizarre, no improvements in two weeks worrying. Agents opaque and not reassuring us or giving us any explanations.

Agent demanded offer before mon 12 pm and said don’t bother making offers below £x. Another buyer has offered and thinks he’ll take it which we find hard to believe when property is completely unsecured, anyone could climb into the house!

We’re fairly young and this place is ~600k so am wondering if they think we’re wasting their time? We love the place and see a ton of potential but it just feels something is not right!

Agent 2 so abrasive hard to separate him from property. Looked up agents reviews and everyone singing his praises how professional and courteous he is.

Getting very mixed messages - any advice appreciated!

Thrugelmir

Have you evidenced you ability to purchase the property to the EA's?

Unfortunately properties often are far from immaculate condition. Particularly if let previously. Look past the current condition and think what it could be like. Simply cost out the cosmetic work required and factor it into your offer.

billy2shots

The Agents attitude shouldn't really come into your thinking.

The fact that things haven't been fixed is also a non issue.

Make an offer for how much the house is worth to you in its current condition. You are not renting this from him so he doesn't have to fix things.

konark

600 grand for a wreck?


Ooooh, now let me guess where this could be...

Tom86gg

Not a wreck just tatty and not looked after. Size wise it’s good for the price. But yeah, London if you’re getting at that!

Alan2020

I think you are taking this too personal.

When we sold our place (which was tired in the kitchen and bathroom) but priced accordingly, just 6k over our minimum.

We were on market for 2 months before sale and during the time FTB came with entire family including nan and wasted our time because was saying kitchen is small, it’s on the road etc viewed for hours etc Then another couple came to view saying only 3 beds (not sure if they thought a 4th grew in the time between talking to EA and viewing)

Lots of now show, late etc!!

Finally our cash buyer arrived, in the night. Viewed for 10minutes and next am when EA was open offered just 1k below our minimum, so as we said only tad below counter offered our minimum which we hadn’t said to anyone with take it or it’s off. We took it.

Sent bank statements to EA and had Solicitors ready and was willing to wait for us to find a house for as long as it took. Completed spot on. Even called to say what a lovely house, that’s how people do business.

So in London a lot of people are like this, we offered after 1st view, house was a wreck. EA gave our tradesmen keys to start doing all measurements etc to renovate and tradesmen had keys to start on day of completion. Similar house price to yours for one without a complete heating and water system, complete rewire, new ceilings etc

So if you are there piddling about they have no time to be babysitting as lots of London buyers are experienced and people don’t have time to be messing around.

Most houses in London are crap, so no point asking if it needs heating? It will of course. Like I don’t even bother with a survey, £600 can replaster several rooms.

-taff

The EAs are not there to hold your hand and it sounds like you're booking repeat viewing and you haven't offered anythng yet.The EAs think you're wasting their time if they are being rude etc, and cancelling viewings.

Have you got your AIP? DId you tell the EAs this? If you can't make your minds up, take someone with you who knows what they're doing.
If you're fixated on having this house, make your offer, when it's accepted the you can start making demands.
If the window and the roof are not being sorted, that does't bode well and you really should get a proper survey done if you are going to buy it.

Doozergirl

People can and do sell houses in any condition. If they want to sell it with no windows at all, they can. There is no expectation for a vendor to fix anything for you at all.

If you want it, you offer on it as it is. Stop asking for repairs - it's an unusual request, especially when there isn't an offer on the table.

I'd be perfectly happy to offer on a house with a window missing - I have bought houses that are collapsing, so a window is nothing. Don't judge people on your own standards.

If you want it, offer. The mixed signals are coming from you.

buglawton

Consider a rude EA a potential benefit, after all he might deter some of your competitor buyers. Plus, rude and efficient would be better than polite and inefficient.

Kynthia

They think you're wasting their time. Two weeks for a second viewing in London is risking losing a property, which tells them you aren't worried about that and therefore don't want it enough to buy it. Worrying about minor issues on a property worth 600k also says you don't want it enough. Lots of unloved houses are for sale, especially former rentals. You dont have to likw the EA either. So just decide if you want it or not in the condition it's in now.

Bossypants

If you're buying a house, you need to budget for a significant number of 'small issues' anyway. Just assume the vendor will do nothing to improve the property from this point on (because they likely won't) and decide if you want the place in its current state, exactly as it is. If you do, make your offer, and be sure you have all your ducks (solicitor, mortgage broker, surveyor if you need one) in a row now, to make up for faffing about before and show them that you're serious. If you decide you don't want to offer on the house as is, walk away.