Is it appropriate to ask for a reduction in price?

propertyrental

[Deleted User] said:

.....

Your survey will pick up on small things and make a meal of it because your surveyor is covering their back. ........

.......providing you with useful information about the property you are buying. Information that will help you decide whether/when to make what improvements.

youth_leader

I'd get a structural surveyor to have a look as the brickwork is cracking underneath it?  I've read on here about cracks above the windows because of a lack of lintel, but underneath the window?

TheJP

Emily_Joy said:

babyblade41 said:

I would imagine this was visible on viewing & isn't desperate to do now, I presume the house was priced with the condition of everything which is visible 

You can reduce your offer but depending on the above I would doubt they would agree

The first issue is that quite often when the house is occupied, and filled with furniture and personal belonging of the current owners it is very difficult to examine the windows/ceilings/walls carefully, without prying/breaking vendor's privacy. The floors with fitted carpets are even problematic. The second problem is that in most cases a buyer who has no experience in buildings and has as little as quarter of hour during the viewing relies on the survey to pick things up. Those whose work is not related to building industry you are very likely to miss things that their builder friend will spot instantly.

I remember quite a few years ago I went to look at a house with a friend of mine, a bespoke furniture maker. He glanced at the house from outside for a couple minutes and said "the roof should be replaced as soon as possible. The chimney stack is also a concern. if you buy it, you will need to rebuild a part of this wall quite soon...  Let's go inside and look at the floors, but I think there is some movement in the ground!". I decided I don't want it - the person who bought it started replacing the roof and as far as I can see, more than 5 years later on, the house is still surrounded by scaffolding and inhabitable. I have to confess I still have no clue how did he know.

What in the Narnia...

You took advice from a furniture maker regarding the structural competency of a house. I'm not sure i believe the latter part of your story, no one can afford scaffolding for 5 years.

OP the term may need to be replaced in the future is the key here, they could last for another 10-15 years. Get a quote for the window that needs attention. All of this is scary but also take a deep breathe, take a step back and rationalise things from a different perspective. Good luck 

mi-key

youth_leader said:

I'd get a structural surveyor to have a look as the brickwork is cracking underneath it?  I've read on here about cracks above the windows because of a lack of lintel, but underneath the window?

I suppose it could if there was a lot of water ingress from the bottom of the window soaking into the brickwork but it would be quite unusual

[Deleted User]

Don't ask. Tell them what you think it is worth and are willing to pay.

mi-key

[Deleted User] said:

Don't ask. Tell them what you think it is worth and are willing to pay.

And no doubt they will tell the OP what they think it is worth and what they are willing accept

Emily_Joy

TheJP said:

You took advice from a furniture maker regarding the structural competency of a house. I'm not sure i believe the latter part of your story, no one can afford scaffolding for 5 years.

The exact timing is difficult to remember now, but I think we looked at the house some time in January-March 2018. I believe the works started some in June 2018. Here are pictures from Google, the first is May 2019.

Now here is April 2021, which is the latest date:

I appreciate the evidence is incomplete, I might be able to visit the area in June, I will try to remember to update.

[Deleted User]

mi-key said:

[Deleted User] said:

Don't ask. Tell them what you think it is worth and are willing to pay.

And no doubt they will tell the OP what they think it is worth and what they are willing accept

Yes. That's how it should work. If the two of them can't agree because the seller is being unreasonable, best to walk away. Don't pay over the odds and risk financial difficulty or negative equity.

TheJP

Emily_Joy said:

TheJP said:

You took advice from a furniture maker regarding the structural competency of a house. I'm not sure i believe the latter part of your story, no one can afford scaffolding for 5 years.

The exact timing is difficult to remember now, but I think we looked at the house some time in January-March 2018. I believe the works started some in June 2018. Here are pictures from Google, the first is May 2019.

Now here is April 2021, which is the latest date:

I appreciate the evidence is incomplete, I might be able to visit the area in June, I will try to remember to update.

Fair enough. although i doubt the scaffolding has been there any longer than a couple of months, looks like they have been doing an extension at the same time.

lookstraightahead

[Deleted User] said:

mi-key said:

[Deleted User] said:

Don't ask. Tell them what you think it is worth and are willing to pay.

And no doubt they will tell the OP what they think it is worth and what they are willing accept

Yes. That's how it should work. If the two of them can't agree because the seller is being unreasonable, best to walk away. Don't pay over the odds and risk financial difficulty or negative equity.

Exactly this. Always know what the most is you are willing to pay. Then walk away if not accepted.

Another home will always be there. Forget words like 'dream' as you don't want it to turn into a nightmare if you can't afford it.

on the other hand there are things you can see at first viewing. But it's up to you. 

No house is worth not being able to afford. It is just a house.