Offered asking price, mostly cash, but not accepted!

tomstickland

Chances are that these eager-beaver other buyers will mysteriously disappear.

I am surprised that no-one has suggested increasing my offer, then dropping it again when it comes to exchange.

That would not be good. You'd derive more satisfaction from not offering and watching them relist for even less in a few months time.

Wait for them to get back to you once the "early days" period is over. They really must be idiots; you're offering list price.

geoffky

Here Is A Classic Case Of Gazundering Being Acceptable

sirhan_sirhan

Many thanks for all of the responses.

Still no news. Am tempted to visit the agent tomorrow, or at least call, just to see what the position is. Have played "hard to get" for a week now, it is not unreasonable to enquire. I did advise the agent that my current lease is up for renewal, I could perhaps use this as a tool to impose a deadline (ie accept by and of month, or I am tied in for another 12 months).

I hear what is being said about waiting for discounts but, like I said, we are very particular about area and requirements. We need a large 5 bed house, and have really narrowed ourselves down to this road. The house that we saw on Saturday was probably the first outside of this road in over two years of searching. Houses do come up on this road (sometimes 5 bed, often only 3 or 4 but with potential to extend due to the large plot sizes), but usually only two or three per year. The house isn't unique in that there will be a handful of others that tick this many boxes, but it is the closest that we have seen to our dream home.

Gazundering is an emotive subject, hence I though long and hard before mentioning it. I am not keen on the idea, but feel that the seller has messed us around, and wouldn't hesitate to have us gazumped were the market moving in the other direction.

Will post an update when I have it.


Thanks again.

benood

I would sit tight, certainly don't call the agent - when they call you tell them that you're actually booked in to see another place you're really keen on (make sure you are!) that will put the wind up them and after that say you need a decision as you're about to put an offer in on that.

Out of interest what did you offer last time the place was on the market?

stolt

hi op, we are in a similar position as yourselves, we sold our house in september and are in rented, we need a step up or two on the housing ladder and a house was on for 475k which we couldnt afford, they wouldnt drop it at all then we were told they had a offer and it disappeared from rightmove. we stopped looking for 6 months and started around march again and it was back on at 450k offers in excess. I offered 400k and was told that they are not interested in any offers under 450k, but said well i'll stick 430k on the table thats all i have. we were speaking to the agent regarding what had come on the books and my wife really loves this house etc and she said what was your last bid, 430k i said. she mentioned she would have another word with them and see what they would say. these sellers are really doing my head in but there are no houses coming on the market, agent said she would ring me back that day but that was a week ago. they must be mental i have 100% cash and i live in rental which i could move out of next month.... but you cant tell people, should they not realize that back in september they couldnt sell it for 475k my offer of 430k is really good, well i thought so.

sirhan_sirhan

Hi Benwood,

Haven't called the agent, to be honest I am beginning to blow hot and cold on this. Can do without the stress of a seller/agent who can't make their minds up, and deliberately mislead people. I have only ever bought from banks (repossessions) and building companies (properties that they have taken in p/x - I would be unlikely to ever buy new) in the past, so have never had to deal with the whims of deluded owner occupiers before.

Am a little reluctant to give any more info on the property or my offers, as I wouldn't like to give a way who I am and what the property is (you never know who is listening!). Suffice to say that the asking price is now £100k less than it was two years ago, and my previous offer was somewhere between the two asking prices.

Stolt - thanks for sharing your experiences, it is frustrating isn't it. Had they taken your 430k last September, they would have had around £20k interest on it by now (less tax, admittedly). Add to this the fact that it is probably losing the best part of £150 per day in value (assuming prices have dropped at around 1% per month over this period), it really makes no sense at all. Good luck in your search.

The more that I think about it, the more inclined that I am to sign a lease on my current rental for another 12 months. Am not going to get into silly games; something else will come up, and the property market is moving in my direction.

benood

sirhan_sirhan wrote: »

Suffice to say that the asking price is now £100k less than it was two years ago, and my previous offer was somewhere between the two asking prices.

Quite likely this is the problem - the vendor knows that you were once prepared to pay more and thinks you still might, your hope must be that the agent twists their arm. I'd try and extend my lease by 3 months I think.

redcar_2

On the rental front why don't you ask to go to a periodic rental contract to keep your options open rather than sign a 12 month contract?

tradetime

The more that I think about it, the more inclined that I am to sign a lease on my current rental for another 12 months. Am not going to get into silly games; something else will come up, and the property market is moving in my direction.

I'd sign the lease for another 12 months and be done with it, but then I have no time for people who mess me about.

TTMCMschine

You can be absolutely sure that the price of that house will go lower. Don't buy it now for Gods sake.