Buying my old house back after 3 years

Isthisforreal99 · 22 May at 8:44PM

It may or may not be delusional but the seller has something you want and unless they are desparate to sell, and it doesn't sound like it, you either up your offer or walk away.

Jemma01 · 22 May at 9:42PM

Like @FreeBear said, get a proper valuation, if they say yes its worth this much (or less), then you have an informed decision to make.

Ms_Chocaholic · 22 May at 9:56PM

Another option …. change your name double quick (legally of course via Deed Poll) and you may get it at a cheaper price.

sheramber · 22 May at 10:09PM

Are you prepared to lose the house for the sake of £15k?

Chief_of_Staffy · 22 May at 10:59PM

My advice is think back to why you sold it in the first place, then you won't feel the need to make the same mistake again. It's a bit weird to be honest, spending what must be tens of thousands on moving costs and stamp duty, then wanting to do it again, and at a significantly higher price, for something that three years ago you didn't want.

Dustyevsky · 23 May at 7:15AM

From a psychological viewpoint you are in dangerous territory.

Fail to buy the house, and you stand to have significant regret on your hands. Succeed, and the life you then live in the house has to be as good as before, or better, otherwise the move will look like a dead-end choice, particularly if you believe you overpaid..

You need to be really clear what the house might give you in return. Most of us move on emotionally once we sell a property, even if the house and/or area we move to doesn't turn out to reward us as we'd hoped. Times change, so attempting to recapture a perceived better time, has a high risk of failure.

WIAWSNB · 23 May at 7:58AM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82009251#Comment_82009251

That is a very good point.

And, should you proceed at near the new asking price, you need to be clear in your mind that your costly change-of-mind won't continue to grate and affect your future enjoyment.

That's a big ask. You have mentioned that the new owner has done 'nothing' to the house, and has even 'let it go'. And yet he's likely to pocket the best part of £40k of your hard-earned?

You are 100% certain you can put that behind you?

Even if a member of your family says at some point down the line, "I think I preferred the other house…"? Or, "Why can't I have a new phone?! You threw away £40k on the house!"

If you truly love this house above all others, then consider that the new owner just got a bargain, that's all - you are paying the 'correct' price, and it's worth every penny, just as if you had found it now for the very first time.

Also, ~£40k, whilst undoubtedly a large amount in every other scenario, from a car to a holiday to savings to whatevs - is 'little' in the long term scheme of house buying.

What a dilemma - I do sympathise. But everyone is right - the seller can ask what they want, and will ultimately get the market value, whatever that is. Who buys it is up to you.