New Build Incentives: Dirty Tactics?

Hutchy96

I've purchased a new build home outside Edinburgh which is due for completion in the summer. Missives were completed at the beginning of January and I was given until the end of this week to complete the extras package for the house; ie choosing kitchen doors/worktops etc as the build is progressing and nothing can be added or changed once the roof is in place.

When I purchased the home and tried to haggle on stamp duty and incentives, I was told that due to the high demand for the development, that nothing would be offered above the standard spec of the house (5 houses in my row, including the one I bought, were reserved within hours of going on the developer's website)

However, there is 1 property remaining in our row which has not yet been sold, presumably because someone backed out and it has now been advertised on the developer's website for around 6 weeks.

Since confirming the extras this week just before the deadline (kit and roof to be completed this week), the house which still hasn't sold is now being marketed with free flooring and stamp duty being paid by the developer.

I understand that the developer is obviously wanting to shift the house, which is why they are throwing in these incentives, but it seems a little dirty to have done this when everyone else including myself will have just committed and paid a deposit towards the purchase of additional extras for the home. We are now tied in with no room for re-negotiation or to ask for free extras or the payment of our stamp duty.

Anyone been in a similar situation? It's definitely frustrating :mad:

danze

It's rough and I sympathize.

If it's any consolation hopefully you'd rather have the house you picked than being stuck with the last one on plot being marketed with all the free extras.

Marvel1

Massive difference in price but the same principle:
I had a broadband and telephone weekend and was paying £40.00
Other people with more were paying less - much less, cancelled my services, no callback, so joined someone new - it's business.

I bought a game for £50, was waiting weeks for a drop, never happened, the next day after buying it dropped - oh well it happens.

ReadingTim

It's called supply and demand and that's how the economy works - if the development was really popular and they put the prices up after you agreed to buy, would you have been happy to pay the higher price?

Thought not.

It's no more of a dirty tactic that a supermarket's reductions corner, flogging off today's slightly stale cream cakes at 6.30 in the evening.

SallyDucati

I understand it's annoying, but I don't think it's dirty tricks by the developer. They have one house left and want it all done and dusted so they will do what they need to do.

I moved into a new build last year. All very similar houses, but I bought the ex show home with tiled kitchen/bathroom floors and carpeted all the way through. It took some time for all of them to sell, looking on the land registry site I paid £14k less than one, £16k less than another but one that completed a couple of months ago paid £5k less than I did.

Swings and roundabouts.

Slithery

No 'dirty tricks' at all, just a change in circumstances for the developer.