What might be a realistic offer increase? (Link)

FreeBear

fiwen30 said: When you say ‘insulating over the bay’, what do you mean by that?

A picture to help...

The work can either be done by removing the tiles over the bay (gives you the chance to refelt and sort out any issues with flashing), or from the inside by taking the ceiling down - If the original ceiling is still in place (most likely lime plaster & lath), it will be a messy job. Third option is to cut an access hole above the front door and insert insulation from there.

RelievedSheff

Look at it another way. The current owner is living in the property as it is so none of the issues you have found need to be sorted out straight away. They can be done over time as and when you have the funds to do so.

NinjaTune

It's a lovely house.

Personally I'd offer £100k and make it clear to the EA that it's your final offer due to the work required.

fiwen30

RelievedSheff said:

Look at it another way. The current owner is living in the property as it is so none of the issues you have found need to be sorted out straight away. They can be done over time as and when you have the funds to do so.

The house is actually empty at present - previous occupant passed away at an unknown point in the past, and the sale is being handled by executors. But you’re right in that it HAD been inhabited, presumably with little fuss, up to that point - un-insulated outdoor art studio, and all.

It’s funny when you begin to look at houses and attempt to find fault and pick them apart - I came home to our rented house, where I’ve lived happily and trouble-free for 4 years, and can spot a dozen of ‘not quite right’ bits here, that I would’ve marked down as ‘potential problems’ on a house I was looking to buy!

GBNI

I know the area, I would go £98k personally and give the reasons of improvements as why you're not going to £100k. You're FTB so in a good position to proceed.

fiwen30

GBNI said:

I know the area, I would go £98k personally and give the reasons of improvements as why you're not going to £100k. You're FTB so in a good position to proceed.

Thanks GBNI. Would you mind if I messaged you for your thoughts on the area, warts and all? My partner and I are more familiar with the nearby towns.

fiwen30

So yesterday we decided to increase our offer to 100k. Not sure we’ll go any higher than that, given the work that needs doing, but we’ll have a chat with my partner’s parents on the off-chance that they might be able to help us out a little bit more, financially.

Trying not to get too excited, though it would be great if that offer was accepted. Carry on waiting!

fiwen30

Crikey. Should know better than to get any sort of hope up in 2020, this year has just been bloody awful!

Estate agent called today in a right tizz. I don’t know all the details, but it seems like the house was inherited and the sale was being dealt with by 2 sisters - 1 in Northern Ireland and 1 in England. The sister in England had been in hospital and very sadly died yesterday.

Estate agent is contacting their solicitor on Monday to find out whether this person was an executor or a beneficiary or this property, and whether or not it will be part of here estate and possibly have to go through probate before it can be sold.

The other interested party also put in an offer of £500 over ours 🙄 EA advised not to keep offering till he knows whether or not he actually has a property to sell to us.

NinjaTune

Sorry to hear this @fiwen30, both for you and the sister who sadly passed away.

Unless this is your ultimate dream property I'd put it to one side and keep looking.

fiwen30

NinjaTune said:

Sorry to hear this @fiwen30, both for you and the sister who sadly passed away.

Unless this is your ultimate dream property I'd put it to one side and keep looking.

Thanks NinjaTune, it’s very sad all round.
This house would’ve suited us perfectly. As I said, there’s currently a bit of a dirge if suitable properties, so while we’ll keep looking and saving, hopefully, who knows - maybe it’ll come around again in another few months, and we may still be looking?