Selling a house - do we need to check for subsidence

paul2louise

My MIL has moved into a retirement bungalow. She is selling her previous house. She has had 3 sales fall through due to chain collapsing. She as far as I know no problems within her house. The latest potential buyers want to know if it has subsidence. Does she have to pay and get a survey done. I don't know how serious these buyers are. She really needs a buyer with no long chain.
Thanks

Linton

Unless there are obvious signs of major cracking that would worry any buyer I would not check for subsidence. Just saying that you have checked could give rise to more concerns than it resolves. The answer to any potentially difficult buyers question is something true but vague and impossible to disprove like "I know of no reason to believe there is any subsidence". Solicitors normally answer such questions with the statement along the lines that it is up to the buyer to carry out their own investigations, but adopting that sort of approach may be a little more difficult face to fce.

Davesnave

If the potential buyers are serious and have fears about subsidence, it's up to them to have their own survey done.

They could not rely on a survey carried out on your MiL's behalf, as the surveyor would have no contract with them, or owe them any duty of care.

Remember, people come with all sorts of mental baggage based on previous experiences. It might not be relevant, but they carry it nonetheless.

paul2louise

Thanks. That's what I thought. I am suspicious of buyers trying to get a way to drop the prices. She has been messed about by other buyers. It's a shame it is taking so long to sell tho.

sal_III

If 3 sales fell through due to chain collapsing, not due to fault on your part, it's juts bad luck. Just give it time.

Davesnave

If the price is right it will sell. Keeping a property empty is expensive, time consuming and does little for its saleability.


If you have the time, study the Rightmove sold prices for similar property in the area and consider whether it is offering good value at the current asking price. If you've had sales fail, it can't be far out.


We are just coming up to the summer holidays, traditionally almost the worst time to be selling. There will be better prospects in September, so be ready to take advantage if these viewers don't turn into buyers.

paul2louise

Davesnave wrote: »

If the price is right it will sell. Keeping a property empty is expensive, time consuming and does little for its saleability.


If you have the time, study the Rightmove sold prices for similar property in the area and consider whether it is offering good value at the current asking price. If you've had sales fail, it can't be far out.


We are just coming up to the summer holidays, traditionally almost the worst time to be selling. There will be better prospects in September, so be ready to take advantage if these viewers don't turn into buyers.

It's been on the market for ages. We have been dropping the price over time. She moved out in march. The last buyers were genuine but their buyers pulled out.