Buying a house - Drinks with vendors

[CRich]

Hi all,

First time poster here so please excuse the lack of acronyms etc!

We're in the process of buying a house and the vendors have invited us over for a drink as we're both keen to move things on. It's a rather large house with a lot of various things to discuss (we're buying some furniture from them and there are some repairs that need negotiating) so we both decided that to-ing and fro-ing between the estate agent and solicitors is wasting precious time as we're both keen to move it along asap.

We've met before (on viewing no. 3 of 4!) and they are older (60's) and also come across as very lovely and easy going, so I'm not worried about talking to them. I'm just fretting about what to take as a token gift, even though we'll probably only be there for an hour. Help!

I'll be straight - they're considerably posher than us (I'm not for one second saying there's anything "wrong" with that! )....It's more that we're so different but they're so lovely we'd really like to take a little something along to say thanks for having us in their home (again) and for making the whole thing so easy. The house has a lot of sentimental value to them as they raised their 3 children here, and they "chose" us when reviewing offers as we also have very young children, even though ours wasn't the highest offer they received. So for us, it's about showing respect. I gather the wife is extremely emotional about selling.

All advice would be greatly appreciated....especially from those who have been on the other side to me!

Thanks. x

[Merrynsmummy]

Def some nice champagne.

[Bluntness100]

Id take some chocolates and some flowers.

[Battyoldbat]

I wouldn’t go as far as champagne, I’d just take a nice bottle of wine and a box of chocs. We had a similar relationship with our vendors when we bought our current house, they were absolutely lovely. Really makes the whole process so much easier!

[Crumbs1]

It sounds like they like you so don’t worry. I wouldn’t worry too much and no need to splash out on an expensive champagne. Where are they moving on to? Could you give them something that will be a memory of their family home or that is special to the area? They really won’t be expecting much they just want to know the home they have loved will still be loved.

[eurochick]

I'd take flowers. And avoid any talk of the changes you plan to make!

[FinallyHere]

What a lovely idea. Flowers, definitely.

Tell the florist something about the present decor in the house, to get something to their taste. Chintzy?

[ProseccoPoppy]

I'd go for flowers, a nice florist bunch, seasonal colours. Doesn't need to cost a fortune but would be a lovely touch. I haven't been on the other side of this but my parents have when they sold - similar set up to what you describe and my mum in particular would have loved that.

[ProseccoOnAGecko]

We had exactly the same with our vendors. If your children are of a suitable age then I would make some cupcakes with them because she'd probably like to think of you doing nice things like that in their house. And some flowers too because you'll probably eat the cupcakes when you're there

[unicornface]

I would take flowers. The wine and Champaign have almost a celebratory air to them, that may feel a bit inappropriate, especially to the wife.
Flowers would be lovely.
I'd also agree with pp, don't talk about any changes that you might be planning!

[CRich]

Thanks for the advice! Champagne is a lovely idea but I think I'll go with some nice, seasonal flowers.

Cakes is also a nice thought but my kids are a bit too young, even though mine would probably look as though they were made by a 2.5 year old.

Re making changes, they've already allowed our architect access to the property to take a look.....ooops!🙈

Thanks again everyone, much appreciated!x