Flat buying - seller turning nasty

WTF?_2

ghekkomanic wrote: »

She was livid at the seller and told you me pull out earlier, but I was adamant that I wanted the place and just wanted to save on hassle. She told me to offer a lot less for the furniture (or not buy it at all) but as the sale was agreed on the understanding we would negotitate a price for the furniture I didn't want to renege on that agreement.

You're right though, the seller's behaviour is very puzzling. However they stand to lose conveyancing fees and maybe agent's fees too, whereas I only lose about £750 on searches, but that is nothing compared to overpaying on the furniture.

In answer to carolt we already looking for other properties, so I can be philosophic about losing this flat. I think the key is to accept we will lose it, offer a lot less for the furniture and then be pleasantly surprised if the seller doesn't pull out of the sale.

There are plenty of people around in life who just push and push with their demands. When others accede, they take it as a vindication of their behaviour and ask for even more. Seems like you have fallen into this trap by trying to be accommodating earlier on in the process.

I would have a word with the agent about similar properties in the area and try out other agents too. Unless you are getting an excellent deal with the current property (taking into account furniture) I would be tempted to walk away.

If you decide that you can walk away but still wouldn't mind the property, offer what you feel the furniture is worth AND drop your offer on the house to the original amount agreed back in August AND make it clear that she has to be out when she originally agreed or the deal is most certainly off. 'Take it or leave it'.

jaype

Your vendor sounds vile. Secondign everyone else (near enough!), I'd tell them you want a reduction on the price - or certainly the furniture price, by a couple of k. We furnished a 3 bed house from Ikea / Redhill Appliances with about 2.5k, so that's a lot of money you're paying for a small flat. And our stuff was new.

sooz

at the last possible minute, tell her you don't want any of her stuff.

you'll always feel bitter sitting on her old sofa, knowing you paid too much for it. go to ikea, and bond with your girlfriend over swedish instructions and an allen key.

and you never know, she might end up leaving most of it, as she'll be unable to flog it to anyone else...this happened to our vendors with their overpriced white goods £175 each for 3 year old machines!! We said no...they left them, and we sold them for £50 each.

(typed this message 3 times, and lost it each time!)

irnbru_2

ghekkomanic wrote: »

I'm actually still doing the seller a favour if I agree to their completion date

OP, I think you should leave the negotiations to your GF and seek the following outcome:

• Pay the original price for the property
• Zero for the furnishing
• Accept the new completion day.

In the meantime, find storage space and possible places to rent.

merlinthehappypig

irnbru wrote: »

OP, I think you should leave the negotiations to your GF and seek the following outcome:

• Pay the original price for the property
• Zero for the furnishing
• Accept the new completion day.

In the meantime, find storage space and possible places to rent.

Totally agree. It will be a bit of hassle to rent for 6 months, but it will put you in an exceptionally strong position at a time when confidence in the housing market is low and at a time of year when things are traditionally quiet. I don't usually agree with gazundering, but in this instance it is more than justified. Just walk away unless she reduces the price and throws in the furniture. You will easily get your £750 back by negotiating on your next purchase.

ghekkomanic

Thanks to all of you for your advice, really appreciate it.

I've already spoken to the agents and told them I'm reluctant to buy the furniture now and will let them know. They were understanding about the whole thing.

I've decided to offer 1/3 the amount for the furniture or tell them I'll not buy it at all, and also insist on the original completion date. Just not sure whether to ask for the original sale price, as this was agreed long ago. Will this not be too much?

Smi1er

As you have been mucked around it's pay back time

1/ Tell the EA that you are reverting to your original offer. take it or leave it

2/ Tell them you don't want the furniture anymore (they may leave it and if they don't then buy on ebay if funds are tight)

Be prepared to walk away if necessary

SquatNow

Given the behaivour of the seller I would drop your offer by 5-10% on principle and tell them to shove the furniture up their @$$. But let them choose the date.

At this stage they will have no choice but to accept.

They can't find another buyer at such short notice but you could always put your stuff into storage and arrange a 2 month deal with a local hotel. (Most small hotels are VERY open to negotiation if you need somewhere to stay for 2 months...)

irnbru_2

ghekkomanic wrote: »

I've decided to offer 1/3 the amount for the furniture or tell them I'll not buy it at all

Even though it's 'nothing special'?

I'd keep the washine machine if it was integrated, else I'd be waving the cash saved at a furniture shop in the January sales.

ghekkomanic wrote: »

and also insist on the original completion date.

I can see the hassle but any decent moving firm will store your property.

One concern I'd have is that the vendor is leaving the country. Ask the GF if there is any holding back of monies (at the vendor's solictor) to ensure the property is in the same state when you agreed your purchase. The vendor may decide to let out their frustration in the knowledge they'll be safely on a plane.

Good luck.

macaque_2

If it was me, I would revert to my original offer price. That is not gazundering, it is just un-gazumping. If she turns you down, she will be in a complete tangle. This is not a market to mess buyers around in. There is an aweful lot of property coming on the market at the moment and some sellers are accepting big price reductions.