To get a survey or not.. estate agent/vendor unhappy

bsmith147

Hi all..
This is my first post here and am looking for opinions/advice.
We are buying our “forever home” which was built in the 1930s and had since had 3 extensions. The property has been kept modern and up to date. 

Without giving it much thought, we decided to get a Level 3 building survey just for total peace of mind with it being an older property. We thought this was pretty standard.
We then received a call from the vendor’s estate agent this morning that the vendor is unhappy as she’s already had the valuation (from mortgage lender) done. The EA said the same thing and couldn’t understand why we would need “another survey.” I said this is pretty standard and she said not, not many people get a survey after valuation. She tried to argue they go round picking up every minor issue such as broken light bulbs and are pointless. 

I’m sticking to my guns and having the survey but just wanted opinions on this - would you get a level 3 survey on a property of this type?

Thanks,

diego_94

the estate agent and vendor can not dictate to you what survey you get done. Sounds like they are worried you are looking for ways to get money off? 

Poppyka

We got a Level 3 survey done on a property built in the 1990s. It’s pretty standard to expect to do some sort of structural survey. You wouldn’t just go by the valuation survey as it doesn’t give you extra detail you need for reassurance especially with it being an older property. I agree it could just a tactic to avoid you reducing your offer based on what could come from it 

trakky14

Oh my word! A mortgage valuation and survey are completely different! A valuation takes minutes a level 3 survey takes hours. Stick to your guns, if you want one then its their tough luck! Anything over 50yrs you should get a level 3, we made the mistake of a level 2 on a Victorian property and they missed loads! 

Sazzy1253

We’ve in the process of buying a 1900’s property and we had a level 3 survey, we were advised to have it done due to the age of the property 

bsmith147

diego_94 said:

the estate agent and vendor can not dictate to you what survey you get done. Sounds like they are worried you are looking for ways to get money off? 

I thought this too - I felt I had to justify myself and explained we were only making sure there’s nothing majorly wrong/understand all old houses come with minor issues. 

bsmith147

trakky14 said:

Oh my word! A mortgage valuation and survey are completely different! A valuation takes minutes a level 3 survey takes hours. Stick to your guns, if you want one then its their tough luck! Anything over 50yrs you should get a level 3, we made the mistake of a level 2 on a Victorian property and they missed loads! 

Thank-you! I thought exactly this but just wanted to check I wasn’t losing it haha.

trakky14

bsmith147 said:

trakky14 said:

Oh my word! A mortgage valuation and survey are completely different! A valuation takes minutes a level 3 survey takes hours. Stick to your guns, if you want one then its their tough luck! Anything over 50yrs you should get a level 3, we made the mistake of a level 2 on a Victorian property and they missed loads! 

Thank-you! I thought exactly this but just wanted to check I wasn’t losing it haha.

Stick to your guns, they are probably worried it will pick up things that will cost them money...it will highlight issues like lightbulbs and missing smoke/carbon monoxide alarms etc which are not deal breakers but it will also potentially save you buying something with longer term issues and bigger expenses! They are also probably worried about the time it takes...at the moment its taking several weeks to get a booking then 1-2 weeks to report back so it is a longer process but worth it. 

NortheastEA

I concur with trakky14 

bsmith147

@trakky14 Thanks for your advice. The surveyor actually had availability very soon but they rang this morning to say the vendor could only do a date almost a month away. Because of this, we rang the surveyor back and paid an extra £200 premium to get the report within 48hrs rather than the standard 10+ days. All seems a bit strange but like you say, I’m sticking to my guns on this one!

hazyjo

Did you wait until quite late in the process to get a survey done? If not, it sounds to me like they might be hiding something or, as suggested, you're doing it do drop the price.

I was a bit narked with my last sale in that the purchasers said they weren't having a survey, then waited until the 11th hour when the whole (long) chain were ready to exchange to get one done, then also instructed a structural engineer. Should've all been done way earlier.