HELP FTB -Just made an offer, need advice

lookstraightahead

Our vendors had a structural engineers report to hand as knew the structural surveyor would advise us to have one. It helped our surveyor. 

Get your own done though.

m344

I have attached the report -I know it's long so I've removed sensitive info, pics of the front of house and pages without any relevance. 

Hoping this helps. Also: I spoke to the estate agent today and he said the buyer have agreed to accept £392k. I also confirmed I'd like my own surveyor in (he was keen on this being done asap). Not sure why he wasn't expecting this to be done as it is the norm from suggestions on here.

I guess what I'd like to know is if there is anything in the attached that suggests I should not proceed or will expect to pay a lot in fixing. I have to admit I'm feeling less keen on the property now but appreciate all responses.

PollyWollyDoodle

Sorry OP, but that report is so long I lost the will to live!  Can you pick out the bits that are worrying you? At first glance I couldn’t see anything major being highlighted. So you “might” need some roof repairs, I think he’s just covering his backside. By all means get a roofer out to look but it doesn’t sound urgent. Congratulations on having your offer accepted, I would get your own survey done and then you can ask him or her about any issues they raise. 

MaryNB

m344 said:

Edit: the estate agent sent the surveyors report over with this message ‘ Your offer on the property should account for having read the full survey provided, so no further reductions will be given on the property.’ This seems off to me.

While it's unusual (outside of Scotland) to have to report up front, I'm not surprised by this statement. Some people offer high and then use the survey to chip away at their offer. I'd definitely prefer a system in England where the report is provided up front. A survey can have a huge impact on a sale but you can be a month in to the process before getting it 

I bought a Victorian property and it came with a fair few reds on the report, but also with the comment that the issues were expected for a house of this type. My friend's sister sold a similar property last year and her buyers used to survey to massively reduce their offer. No quotes, just numbers out of the air for each issue. It was like they expected the report to say the house is was perfect condition, not the condition of a 120 year old house. It wasn't priced high at all to begin with. I'd definitely consider getting a survey done up front so buyers could see the asking price accounted for all the issues on the report. 

It's still advisable to get your own survey of course but you have much more information than other buyers do up front. 

AdrianC

That survey's pretty much bob-on for a 1950s property. Nothing scary at all, just the usual "get it looked at by a pro" and a few bits of history.

The question is whether you trust it implicitly or not.

aoleks

Ok, a couple of things…

1. Ignore what people here tell you about getting your own survey. If, for whatever reason, the owner carried out a level 3 survey 2 months ago and the report is genuine (phone up the company and confirm), another survey at your own expense will reveal… the same thing.

2. Unless the seller had other offers, not sure why you would offer more than asking. I think the seller “smelled” your excitement by going over asking price first thing and is now trying to get more money from you.

3. Decide what the house is worth to you, offer that and stick to it. If it’s meant to be, it will work out.

kdotdotdotdot

I'm no expert and I didn't read all of the report, but looking at the red/yellow/green summary at the start of the report, it seems like everything's in good order.