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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To offer less on a property for these reasons

68 replies

KobeLondon · 28/10/2019 20:32

  • Single glazed (it’s 2019!)
  • Damp (vendor had damp survey and only paid for online).
  • Damp upstairs and would need an air vent installing
  • Needs new bathroom
  • Washing machine and dryer are currently located in cupboard outside Confused
  • Kitchen needs modernising to include room for washing machine
  • Need re-plastering die to damp
OP posts:
Original poster
KobeLondon · 28/10/2019 21:45

Offer whatever you like. I'm guessing you're a first time buyer?

What gives you that impression? Confused I’m definitely not.

OP posts:
Original poster
KobeLondon · 28/10/2019 21:49

One house on the same street was sold for £281K.

Mine is priced £11K less.

They have 2 more bedrooms than mine and looks more done.

OP posts:
notso · 28/10/2019 21:54

You offer what you think it's worth but they might want or need more for it.

We're selling a house, it's priced a couple of thousand over the minimum we want to sell it for. It doesn't matter if the potential buyers think XY and Z need to be done and offer 10 grand less we won't accept less.
We're in the fortunate position to have already moved out so not rushing to sell, if we can't get the price we want we'll rent it out.

Cherrysoup · 28/10/2019 21:56

Have an honest conversation with the agent. What are similar properties selling for locally? The washing machine set up isn’t ideal, for sure. Can you remove a unit to put it in? Is there room for an eventual extension?

7 windows, variety of sizes, 2 massive ones, was approximately £3k in my house a few years back, definitely good value for the quality/efficiency.

As others say, a house is worth what someone will pay for it. Would you be gutted to lose it? Can you afford the renovations/upgrade required? Do you have a contingency fund?

Original poster
KobeLondon · 28/10/2019 22:06

As others say, a house is worth what someone will pay for it. Would you be gutted to lose it? Can you afford the renovations/upgrade required? Do you have a contingency fund?

I can’t afford the renovations sadly .. when I viewed the photos, the damp and single glazing was not obvious in the photos. Very good lighting.

I thought it was a property I could move in to and do up as I went along but was liveable.

I’d be slightly guttered to lose it but I’ve been guttered about other houses I’ve lost out on ... another one always comes along.

But yes you’re right. The agent will probably call he tomorrow so I’ll just tell her then and say how much the costs are adding up.

OP posts:
JavaQ · 28/10/2019 22:11

If Foxtons is selling it, take off at least 10% for starters

73Sunglasslover · 28/10/2019 22:15

I guess most of these issues were known when the house was valued and perhaps it's on the market at less than a house without these issues would be. But there is no harm in making an offer.

FunOnTheBeach20 · 28/10/2019 22:16

Just say, I can afford £X and stand firm.

Motorbike311 · 28/10/2019 22:18

sends links to your house and the house sold with 2 more bedrooms. sounds like a £240k house

Original poster
KobeLondon · 28/10/2019 22:24

The damp report also states this

Chimneys were open encouraging direct rainfall to enter the building fabric. These should be capped with a vented cowl by your builder

OP posts:
Finchy19 · 28/10/2019 22:27

Was the damp survey done by a surveyor or a company who might get business off the back of it?

The property should be priced accordingly to deal with needing (is it you just want? They're different) a new kitchen and bathroom.

Look at local comparable sold info and go from there. But I doubt a lowball offer will get accepted. They've rented it and not renovated - I suspect money is what they want and if they don't get it they can rent it out til they do.

Finchy19 · 28/10/2019 22:29

Comparables from the last 3 months. That's what surveyors go on.

Original poster
KobeLondon · 28/10/2019 22:31

Omg it gets worse .. didn’t read all the report until now

it was evident that the rear left corner of the lounge is suffering some form of decay by wet rot fungus as the floor has dropped and has considerable bounce. To what extent we cannot say at this stage.

Wet rot fungus ... how lovely Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
KobeLondon · 28/10/2019 22:33

Was the damp survey done by a surveyor or a company who might get business off the back of it?

It’s signed by a surveyor but they have also included quotes to get the work done .. so both?

OP posts:
Original poster
KobeLondon · 28/10/2019 22:37

Am I being picky? Would people genuinely be ok with that bathroom and not think it needs updating?

To offer less on a property for these reasons
OP posts:
Finchy19 · 28/10/2019 22:39

If it's work they're proposing to do then if commission my own survey. I mean, I'd do that anyway but especially as damp companies are known for exaggerating for the pay check.

Seeingadistance · 28/10/2019 22:42

None of us really can help you with this as it all depends on a range of factors including your local market, whether the house has been priced in acknowledgement of work needed, and how much it is worth to you.

Tbh, I've lived with much grottier bathrooms, and I'd be much more worried about a floor which is dropping and bouncing. You could be looking at major structural works - removing floorboards, replacing joists, eg, as well as identifying source of water ingress and stopping it.

dontcallmeduck · 28/10/2019 22:43

That bathroom is perfectly functional and just not to your taste. Lots of houses (depending on area it seems) have washers and dryers outside in a cupboard or annexed utility.

The damp is your main issue. Either get quotes from a reputable builder on how much it would cost to fix and deduct that from your offer or pull out. If you can’t afford the renovations though how will it even be affordable?

Chloemol · 28/10/2019 22:45

The house should be priced accordingly, what does the estate agent say! You offer what you think it’s worth and see what the seller says, then up the offer if they won’t accept or walk away

pinksquash13 · 28/10/2019 22:45

10 windows will be more than 2k. £300 - £500 per window depending on size.

Finchy19 · 28/10/2019 22:48

The bathroom looks habitable and in working order so does not need to be replaced, you would like to replace it. They are very different things.

Original poster
KobeLondon · 28/10/2019 22:49

Lots of houses (depending on area it seems) have washers and dryers outside in a cupboard or annexed utility.

I have never known anyone to have a washing machine in a wooden cupboard outside. So how you can say lots of houses do. Hmm which areas are you referring to?

OP posts:
timshelthechoice · 28/10/2019 22:49

Rot? Unless you have very deep pockets I would run. It's a bitch to treat and may have gone into dry rot, which of course, all they can do for that is stop it getting worse.

Original poster
KobeLondon · 28/10/2019 22:51

The damp is your main issue. Either get quotes from a reputable builder on how much it would cost to fix and deduct that from your offer or pull out. If you can’t afford the renovations though how will it even be affordable?

I can afford things to certain extent thanks.

But like I already clearly stated - DAMP and SINGLE GLAZING were in no way obvious from the photos. They were also shockingly not including the description. So unfortunately my budget doesn’t cover the £££ it would take to get this fixed.

OP posts:
Northernlurker · 28/10/2019 22:58

Did you offer without viewing in person?
Big mistake