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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think our buyer is really out of order.

259 replies

PrincelySu · 19/05/2023 11:36

We are selling our property, it's a detached cottage in a rural location, and was valued at £750k. We need a fairly quick sale due to our circumstances, we got an offer of £725k, we countered with £735k, and the buyer agreed. The cottage has lovely original features and is very quirky.

On the initial viewing, before they'd even made an offer, we pointed out a couple of things that may need to be looked at, one of those being the roof. Due to this, the buyer got a surveyor round, who agreed that the roof should be looked at. That is the only thing that has been flagged on the survey. The buyer organised a roofer to come and have a look, and the roofer said it's a quirky cottage and roof, but there is nothing wrong with the integrity. There are no leaks, damage, the felt is fine. There are a few tiles missing and it doesn't look great, but this is only cosmetic. The roofer said it is optional to replace the roof, and you'd probably want to at some point, but it's fine.

In between all of this, the buyer also came back to view the house twice more, to measure up for their furniture, plan where to paint and how to redesign the house, both of these visits totalling 4 hours. Which we were happy to do and accommodated.

The buyer has now decided they want the roof replacing and wants £10k off the house price! We said no, the roof doesn't need replacing, the roofer said it was optional and we've already given you a £15k discount from the listed price. The buyer has come back saying that they 'only wanted to pay £725k in the first place and they are fed up to be honest.'

AIBU to think they are being really out of order?! I feel like saying they can't have the house out of principle.

OP posts:
KirstenBlest · 19/05/2023 11:38

They're trying it on. Stick to your price unless desperate.

DappledThings · 19/05/2023 11:38

It's nothing to do work being "out of order". Negotiating is standard. It can be annoying but it isn't rude. You can say no., you can put the house back on the market, you can agree or negotiate further. All of these are common processes. No need to take it personally.

googledidnthelp · 19/05/2023 11:39

Think this is quite common, for the price you are selling at I wouldn't be grumbling at all, least you got your counter offer and they are not trying to not 10lb of their original offer.

We had similar with an issue we were very honest about and our buyer wanted 5k off... we were just weeks from completion and it felt like a right kick in the teeth as our sale price was only £192k, however we agreed as it could have cost us more in the long run if the sale fell through.

Only you know what your willing to risk.

Original poster
PrincelySu · 19/05/2023 11:40

@DappledThings And I totally get it, if there were things that needed doing or any issues, we'd absolutely agree to a price reduction. But surely it's wrong to agree to a price, then try to claw back as much as you can on things that are 'cosmetic'? I wouldn't dream of doing that.

OP posts:
googledidnthelp · 19/05/2023 11:40

Knock 10k not not 10lbs obviously

readbooksdrinktea · 19/05/2023 11:41

DappledThings · 19/05/2023 11:38

It's nothing to do work being "out of order". Negotiating is standard. It can be annoying but it isn't rude. You can say no., you can put the house back on the market, you can agree or negotiate further. All of these are common processes. No need to take it personally.

This tbh.

NoSquirrels · 19/05/2023 11:42

Just say no. It’s £735K as agreed, take it or leave it.

Don’t get emotional about it. They’re negotiating- not very well! as it’s completely transparent they only wanted it at £725K, and now they’ve even admitted that. But negotiations are a 2-way street and if you don’t want to move price then it’s up to them what they do about that. They sound pretty invested, measuring up etc so I’d feel I was in a strong position to just say take it or leave it.

DappledThings · 19/05/2023 11:42

PrincelySu · 19/05/2023 11:40

@DappledThings And I totally get it, if there were things that needed doing or any issues, we'd absolutely agree to a price reduction. But surely it's wrong to agree to a price, then try to claw back as much as you can on things that are 'cosmetic'? I wouldn't dream of doing that.

I wouldn't either. But that doesn't mean it's not common. It's also not worth getting het up about. If you don't want to negotiate just say no. No point getting angry at the perceived morality of it

Didtheythough · 19/05/2023 11:42

The price was agreed. The surveyor/roofer found no issue that would alter the price. So the price stays. We have recently dealt with this situation feels like it's becoming more common place.

Ragwort · 19/05/2023 11:43

You can turn down the offer if you want to but you say you want a 'quick sale', how confident are you that you could get a price you are happy to accept?

If the buyer feels that your property is only 'worth' £725k to them then you either accept it or put it back on the market.

takealettermsjones · 19/05/2023 11:44

I don't think they're out of order. The whole point of the viewing/surveying process is to take your time and think about whether there are things that might be deal breakers, things that you're going to want to repair/replace and how much you're willing to pay for that etc. They're obviously acting in their own interests. I would want to replace/repair a roof with missing tiles etc too. If you don't want to agree then don't. It's a gamble, but that's how it works.

ILikePizzas · 19/05/2023 11:45

At the same time, you should consider how quickly houses in this price range are selling at the moment. Round here, the market has slowed a bit. Not completely, but things aren't going offered anywhere near as fast as they were.

Just saying it's something to think about, as if you seek another buyer, there is a risk that you won't get £725k especially as we have just had another rate rise and as recession bites more people.

Saz12 · 19/05/2023 11:46

It doesnt matter what they want to do with the house, or what their budget is or how accommodating you've been: what matters is if you can agree a price.

The roof is fine, so its not as if the property was overvalued based on structural issues, or that another buyer will uncover the same issue. I would be concerned that they've gone off the house or found an alternative and will mess you about: tgeres no actual reason for the valuation to be reduced.

NoSquirrels · 19/05/2023 11:46

OTOH, if you do need this sale to go through, then counter at £5K off.

As PP says, morality isn’t really useful to you in this situation. Getting the sale through is.

onefinemess · 19/05/2023 11:47

Its just business OP.

They could off 50 quid if they wanted to.

Just ignore their offer and sell it to someone else. Mind you, I wouldn't even touch a house with a dodgy roof.

frankgu · 19/05/2023 11:47

Take the emotion out, they want the best deal as do you. I wouldn't view them as saving 15k because you think the value is 750k as I assume no one offered that?

Original poster
PrincelySu · 19/05/2023 11:48

@Saz12 I would be concerned that they've gone off the house or found an alternative and will mess you about: tgeres no actual reason for the valuation to be reduced.

This is my concern. What's to say they won't decide later down the line they want more discount, or there's something else they don't like?

OP posts:
GeraltsBathtub · 19/05/2023 11:48

I agree it’s common to renegotiate after the survey based on the cost of the issues the survey has raised. Say no if you want to but it’s nothing to get annoyed about.

frankgu · 19/05/2023 11:48

What they are doing is normal.

Original poster
PrincelySu · 19/05/2023 11:49

@onefinemess It hasn't got a dodgy roof, this has been confirmed by a roofer instructed by the buyer.

OP posts:
Crabwoman · 19/05/2023 11:49

It's very common at agree a price, subject to contract, then renegotiate again once surveys come back

It's a business transaction, fundamentally. And part if that is getting the best deal possible. It's not rude at all - and a very common aspect of buying or selling a house.

You can consider the offer and agree to a new price or tell them to take it or leave it.

GeraltsBathtub · 19/05/2023 11:51

PrincelySu · 19/05/2023 11:49

@onefinemess It hasn't got a dodgy roof, this has been confirmed by a roofer instructed by the buyer.

You can’t just leave missing roof tiles indefinitely. It will need to be repaired.

Original poster
PrincelySu · 19/05/2023 11:52

I totally get renegotiation after the surveys come back. Absolutely. I'd do the same. But the fact is, there is nothing wrong with the roof, and that's been confirmed by the roofer that the buyer themselves instructed. It would be different if there were genuine issues that needed looking at. I don't think asking for £10k off because you cosmetically want a nicer roof at the expense of the seller is reasonable.

OP posts:
Original poster
PrincelySu · 19/05/2023 11:53

@GeraltsBathtub Fair, but the quote for getting it repaired is less than £1k.

OP posts:
neilyoungismyhero · 19/05/2023 11:54

PrincelySu · 19/05/2023 11:49

@onefinemess It hasn't got a dodgy roof, this has been confirmed by a roofer instructed by the buyer.

The roof might not be dodgy but sometimes matching original tiles can be a nightmare and nothing less than a complete renewal will suffice.