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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

..to not sell my house now?

147 replies

househorror · 08/08/2022 19:21

So, got the going price for my house, about £10k under, but it has taken a long time to sell and I'm very happy with the price. So my AIBU is here...

I have spent the last 3 years all - through Covid, doing my house up. It looks fabulous, really nice. All the carpets follow through in the same colour to the upstairs, all the hard floors match in Karndean. The whole house is a neutral pallette etc etc. The bathroom was cheap but white and well put in.
So, I have just found out from the EA (a friend vaguely knows her) that the prospective buyers intend to rip stuff out and put their signature on it. I mean, I have literally spent thousands on doing the house up, and I do not want to sell it to someone who is going to gut it.

AIBU in pulling out of the sale. Its very early doors, they have only just put in for a survey

OP posts:
Original poster
househorror · 08/08/2022 19:55

@Outlyingtrout I was prepared to sell it for 10k less than it was up for for a sale. Yes it may have been on too high hence the acceptance of the offer. A win win I thought.

OP posts:
LadyWithLapdog · 08/08/2022 19:55

Sell and forget about it. They may have big plans , we all do when moving in. Then you find yourself 10 years down the line with the same windows, bathroom etc as other things took precedence.

Original poster
househorror · 08/08/2022 19:57

@LewisLittUp I'm not sure the next buyer would. I think its a strange thing to do - take out a brand new kitchen? Don't you? If they have so much money, why don't they go for something better suited to their demolition needs? And then put their stamp on it.

OP posts:
gunnersgold · 08/08/2022 20:00

I wouldn't sell my parents house to someone who wanted to turn it into a nursery .. you can sell it to who you want 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
househorror · 08/08/2022 20:01

@WeAreAllLionesses the house is ready to move into. Its not just a fireplace. A fireplace I could deal with. I would rather drop the price and let a young family move in as I'm that upset about it!! I am actually thinking of the environment and I haven't even got children!!

OP posts:
Original poster
househorror · 08/08/2022 20:02

@LadyVictoriaSponge I can police what people may do to my house by not selling it!!

OP posts:
Maybeebebe · 08/08/2022 20:02

Oh for goodness sake

Itsfridaynightok · 08/08/2022 20:02

They could just be saying that though to justify the £10k less. You will never know what someone does once they move in. Even if they say they are happy to keep it as is for how long ? If it's not to their taste it's not to their taste!

Leeds2 · 08/08/2022 20:05

If it has taken time to get an offer, I would accept asap!

It sounds like you have heard about these proposed changes by a very distant route anyway. The potential buyers may be talking about what they will do in 5 years time, rather than the week after they move in.

Original poster
househorror · 08/08/2022 20:06

@XjustagirlX No its not a grey 'Mrs Hinch' house. Far from it. It has a Magnet kitchen which was beautifully installed with really great worktops.

OP posts:
CharlotteRose90 · 08/08/2022 20:07

Where are you based and how much are you selling for? I’m wanting to buy my first house and I’m sick of going to places that are absolutely disgusting and not loved. It’s lovely that you want your home to go to someone who will appreciate it. My mum is the same. She’s had this house for over 30 years and it hurts her to know when she moves someone will rip it apart. It’s life but it hurts when it’s your pride and joy.

Original poster
househorror · 08/08/2022 20:07

@satelliteheart Don't be jealous love.

OP posts:
Original poster
househorror · 08/08/2022 20:10

@gunnersgold Thank you for understanding. I think now I have spent on it, I would rather go with someone who loves it. I can wait. I can afford it. I'm mortgage free and have a fantastic job, so can wait for a few months

OP posts:
cushioncovers · 08/08/2022 20:12

You should only ever do your home up to please yourself never a prospective buyer. New owners will always without fail eventually rip it all out and put their own stuff in. Yabu op. You made a rookie mistake. I'm curious as to why you spent all that time effort and money on it if you didn't intend to stay there.

gunnersgold · 08/08/2022 20:14

@househorror I get it , the estate agent thought I was mad but I was adamant by dad would have turned in his grave . It was a beautiful family home and should stay as such ! We got another buyer so all was well ..

I know the lady that wanted it had a massive strop but I wasn't changing my mind !

JennyForeigner · 08/08/2022 20:14

I think you do you, and it's a credit to you that the environment is on your mind. We can't guarantee the taste of a buyer - personally I would be gutted if someone took out my lovely pale blue Howdens cabinets and replaced them with high gloss plastic, but if you can sit tight and wait for someone who has similar taste to come along, why not?

You will have to think of an excuse for the agent though.

HoneyIShrunkThePizza · 08/08/2022 20:15

That is a really strange attitude. I'm selling my old house currently. Already bought the new one. Buyer will be ripping out the Victorian fireplace we reinstated upstairs and the woodburner we installed downstairs to take out the chimney breast and 'square off the rooms'. I wish the EA hadn't told us but...even if someone who loves what we did bought it they still may sell it in four years ready for someone else to gut it. It is what it is!

Original poster
househorror · 08/08/2022 20:16

@cushioncovers It was in Covid and I needed something to do. A project. I didn't want to move in a hurry, I was prepared to wait.

OP posts:
cushioncovers · 08/08/2022 20:17

Ah ok I see. Thanks for replying.

Original poster
househorror · 08/08/2022 20:19

@JennyForeigner Thank you. Yes, cant bear waste and needless waste at that! They sound like the sort of people my lovely neighbours would hate too

OP posts:
LearnedAxolotl · 08/08/2022 20:19

If it bothers you that much, maybe now isn't the right time to move.

plinkypots · 08/08/2022 20:19

I think if you pull out of the sale you will get a reputation for being a very tricky seller and aren't likely to get that many viewings. If you want to interview the prospective buyers again you won't get many or the agent will simply coach them to lie....there's really no winning this one OP.

Original poster
househorror · 08/08/2022 20:20

@plinkypots not bothered.

OP posts:
honeyandbutterontoast · 08/08/2022 20:21

I sold my house last month to a buyer who detailed to me exactly all the things they planned to rip out or change. As though they thought I would somehow approve? Particularly their plans to pave the garden I had spent 5 years lovingly planting and tending. It was galling and I was very upset. I spent so much money and time and effort renovating the house and getting it pretty much perfect and in keeping with the age/style and that would all go.

I sucked it up and sold it, I had to downsize and they offered asking price. I felt I had somehow let the house down (no laughing at that!!) But the day I moved here it stopped mattering, it was just a house and now this house is my home. It will be the same for you I’m sure.

hewouldwouldnthe · 08/08/2022 20:24

Not everyone will dislike the kitchen, if it looks nice they will keep it.

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