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WWYD?!

18 replies

GrapeFruitIsTheDevilsFruit · 27/10/2020 10:53

We are due to complete on a house purchase very soon (early next week) but have not yet exchanged, just waiting for our lender to confirm funds will be released on the day, we have already sent off the request for them.

A house on the same road we are buying on has come up for sale. It is much more 'done' than the one we are buying, has another room, and is on for less??!

My husband wants to see the other one and thinks we should go for that instead providing it's okay and an offer is accepted and has spoken to the agent who has said it's empty and the current owner needs a quick sale.

To clarify a few facts, we have been held up by the sellers of the current house for ages, the date has changed so many times and we've wasted a lot of time (the sale was agreed back in early summer and we were told then that they wanted a quick sale).

I work as a conveyancing solicitor so I could do everything needed quickly if we went for the other house and having had a hypothetical conversation with my broker he said we could use the same offer and just change the address and price so long as it's not more than what we're borrowing now, so wouldn't need to go through the whole process again with the lender, we'd just need a new valuation doing.

WWYD? I do feel bad that we're essentially considering pulling out right at the end of a transaction. We looked at others in frustration when the move date changed again from last week to next week but they are adamant that next week will be okay now (although we've heard that before).

OP posts:
IndigoHexagon · 27/10/2020 10:58

Go and look at it - then you’ll know what you want to do - and do it.

Lipz · 27/10/2020 10:58

No harm in taking a look. What happens if this current house gets delayed again. This other house could be the one you are meant to have. Yes it's pissy on the seller but tbh sometimes you have to put yourself first and do what you want. Have a look and then decide, you could go in and find lots needs doing.

YummyInMyTummy · 27/10/2020 11:02

Definitely go and have a look, then decide. I think you should go for it if you prefer it.

Lisa78Lemon · 27/10/2020 11:04

Would be silly not to look. If I preferred it, I would 100% go for it. Buying a house is a life changing decision, you don't want any regrets.
Beware though, if the new house is undervalued, it may have a lot of interest so might not be an 'easy' purchase.

GrapeFruitIsTheDevilsFruit · 27/10/2020 11:05

Thanks. I think you're right that we need to put ourselves first with this. We'll arrange a viewing.

The good thing is that this house is completely empty so we don't need to wait for anyone to move out and the guy who owns it is in a rush as he's emigrating apparently. Which works for us, I'd be happy to get everything done in a matter of weeks, we already have all the searches from the other house which is only down the road and would take indemnity in lieu of the local, which I've already confirmed our lender would be okay with (taking over a month at the moment!).

OP posts:
GrapeFruitIsTheDevilsFruit · 27/10/2020 11:06

@Lisa78Lemon

Would be silly not to look. If I preferred it, I would 100% go for it. Buying a house is a life changing decision, you don't want any regrets. Beware though, if the new house is undervalued, it may have a lot of interest so might not be an 'easy' purchase.
Yes of course, this is all hypothetical right now until we'd had an offer accepted!

The agent seemed pretty positive though when we explained our situation and has offered us the first viewing.

We will see!

OP posts:
VimFuego101 · 27/10/2020 11:12

If the delays that have happened on your existing offer are due to the owners or their solicitor, I would definitely go and view the other one. It sounds like they misrepresented themselves when they said they wanted a quick sale.

HollowTalk · 27/10/2020 11:17

I would run all the way to the other house!

CuriousaboutSamphire · 27/10/2020 11:19

Go today.... right now. Put yourself out of your misery.

I hope it's lovely Smile

Hairydogmummy · 27/10/2020 11:21

Do it! In this market they won't have any trouble selling the one you'd be pulling out of anyway!

Disfordarkchocolate · 27/10/2020 11:24

Go and have a look.

GrapeFruitIsTheDevilsFruit · 27/10/2020 11:25

@CuriousaboutSamphire

Go today.... right now. Put yourself out of your misery.

I hope it's lovely Smile

I've spoken to the agent and we're booked in for the first available viewing of the other house (which unfortunately isn't until this Friday annoyingly). I've asked if there is any chance an earlier one becomes available to let us know.
OP posts:
IceSkater · 27/10/2020 11:32

Go for the better house 100%!!

dontgobaconmyheart · 27/10/2020 12:07

I'd view it OP, we did this. I convinced myself I'd like it better. Got in it and realised it needed a lot more doing than I thought (on very close inspection only). People don't give houses away for significantly less for no reason when the market is on the up. You have no idea also what a surveyor would find or if the interested buyers will drive the price up in the offers. It's only the 'better' house pending a survey IMO.

It's worth a look of course but I would be cautious and try do make decisions quickly out of decency.

TeamLucille · 27/10/2020 12:25

You'd be silly not to have a look, but you need to go with your eyes opened, floor plans in mind.

Our system is absolutely rubbish, but as it's perfectly legal to change your mind at the very last minute, why wouldn't you.

I am always wary of houses freshly "done" for the sale. It makes sense to get a good price, but you can hide a lot of issues with a fresh coat of paint and a piece of furniture strategically placed. Surveyors do not move carpets or furniture...

Be prepared that the new seller might be unreliable too, even if they accept your offer nothing stops them from accepting a better one later on. Goes both ways.

Whammyyammy · 27/10/2020 12:37

Go and look, if you prefer it, make an offer and pull out of previous sale.

Don't feel guilty or bad, its a major purchase and you may regret not viewing/offering on it.

ZebraSpotts · 27/10/2020 13:58

Tbh it's partly your current sellers fault....if they'd completed last week you'd not be in the position to be able to buy anything else iyswim. So if the delay is on their side, that's the risk they've taken imo

YummyInMyTummy · 30/10/2020 16:40

Did you view it this morning? How was it? Good luck with your decision!

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