House sales keep falling through - Am I the problem?

Thrugelmir

pbhb said:

Thrugelmir said:

If you wish to live in a chocolate box thatched cottage then expect there to be issues. Surveys are part and parcel of the territory. 

I agree, just wish they would be honest from the beginning and not ghost me when I tell them I want to discuss how we can still make the purchase work The first two cottages were 17th century, I am now looking at 19th century and my surveyor told me this is much better, so fingers crossed! 

Perhaps the vendors weren't aware of the extent of the issues. As a consequence had to rethink their own plans. If they were budgeting at selling at a given value. 

pbhb

Salemicus said:

Yes, what you're going through is normal. Don't get discouraged.

The reason agents won't be as transparent as you want is that they don't work for you, they work for the seller. They are not your friend or on your side, however much they may try and make it seem that way.

So true, sadly! I just wonder why they are willing to let their seller pay solicitors fees their side when they already know a survey could derail it all (both houses had multiple sales fall through, at the beginning the agent blamed chain collapse but now I imagine it was the surveys!)

Falafels

I agree with everyone else on here who says that older properties will have issues. They just do. I recently sold an early nineteenth century cottage, utterly charming, all that... I recall a few years ago saying to my next door neighbour that I felt as though I spent most of my life living in a house "under construction" and he responded that it was one of the joys of owning a cottage.

At least your surveys aborted the purchase of something which would have led to loads of trouble years down the line. I wouldn't touch a thatched cottage with a bargepole, pretty as they are! The surveys may seem expensive, but they are nothing compared to the costs of maintaining what amounts to an historic property.

Good luck with purchase No.3. Carry out due diligence, much of which you can do yourself. You are having a rough enough time in your personal life, without taking on a whole load of additional trouble!

pbhb

Falafels said:

I agree with everyone else on here who says that older properties will have issues. They just do. I recently sold an early nineteenth century cottage, utterly charming, all that... I recall a few years ago saying to my next door neighbour that I felt as though I spent most of my life living in a house "under construction" and he responded that it was one of the joys of owning a cottage.

At least your surveys aborted the purchase of something which would have led to loads of trouble years down the line. I wouldn't touch a thatched cottage with a bargepole, pretty as they are! The surveys may seem expensive, but they are nothing compared to the costs of maintaining what amounts to an historic property.

Good luck with purchase No.3. Carry out due diligence, much of which you can do yourself. You are having a rough enough time in your personal life, without taking on a whole load of additional trouble!

Thank you so much! I think it's one of the reasons I am struggling with the house, its a mixture of trying to deal with life at the same time! Crossing my fingers for house number 3!! It's a beauty!

Falafels

pbhb said:

Falafels said:

I agree with everyone else on here who says that older properties will have issues. They just do. I recently sold an early nineteenth century cottage, utterly charming, all that... I recall a few years ago saying to my next door neighbour that I felt as though I spent most of my life living in a house "under construction" and he responded that it was one of the joys of owning a cottage.

At least your surveys aborted the purchase of something which would have led to loads of trouble years down the line. I wouldn't touch a thatched cottage with a bargepole, pretty as they are! The surveys may seem expensive, but they are nothing compared to the costs of maintaining what amounts to an historic property.

Good luck with purchase No.3. Carry out due diligence, much of which you can do yourself. You are having a rough enough time in your personal life, without taking on a whole load of additional trouble!

Thank you so much! I think it's one of the reasons I am struggling with the house, its a mixture of trying to deal with life at the same time! Crossing my fingers for house number 3!! It's a beauty!

Keeping everything crossed for you! xxx

Stenwold

Echoing all of the other posters here, you're absolutely doing the right thing in getting the searches - older properties will always come with issues, but at least you'll know whether they are manageable.

I'm not brave enough to buy such an old house, but I'm glad other people are - would be a shame if thatched cottages disappeared from the village landscape.

Good luck with house #3.

pbhb

Stenwold said:

Echoing all of the other posters here, you're absolutely doing the right thing in getting the searches - older properties will always come with issues, but at least you'll know whether they are manageable.

I'm not brave enough to buy such an old house, but I'm glad other people are - would be a shame if thatched cottages disappeared from the village landscape.

Good luck with house #3.

Totally with you! I love the sweet little houses and I hate seeing any that have fallen into disrepair and abandoned! Hopefully I can do my bit to keep one alive!! 

billy2shots

Am I the problem?



No you are not THE problem but you could act differently to avoid THE actual problems. 
As has been pointed out, research better as some things are easy to find such as approved local planning permission with a spare 20 minutes, laptop and a cup of tea. 

The second property could have been avoided altogether with a second better trained set of eyes. Before making offers on old country style houses get someone to go with you who knows a little more about houses than you if at all possible. If you don't know anyone directly then ask friends and family, I guarantee someone you know will have a friendly tradesman who could spot obvious expensive repairs. The offer of £50 could save you much more in the long run if there aren't any free offers of help forthcoming. 

[Deleted User]

my nephew is currently selling a 200 year old cottage. He did not have a survey when he bought it. The first purchaser had a survey - it was in the face of it devastating and he had no idea. They pulled out. He got lots of expert reports and they dismissed the majority of issues, fixed some and gave prices for others. 

Second purchaser just had survey and he is waiting to hear but at least he has more info to discuss if the purchasers want to negotiate etc.

pbhb

Densol said:

my nephew is currently selling a 200 year old cottage. He did not have a survey when he bought it. The first purchaser had a survey - it was in the face of it devastating and he had no idea. They pulled out. He got lots of expert reports and they dismissed the majority of issues, fixed some and gave prices for others. 

Second purchaser just had survey and he is waiting to hear but at least he has more info to discuss if the purchasers want to negotiate etc.

This is the type of sale I’m looking for! Where is he selling? I would be interested if it’s near where I want to buy!