To ask for a discount so early on (house purchase)

[Acheess]

My offer was accepted 2 weeks, and nothing much has happened as i went on holiday.

This Property was on the market for £435k and my offer of £405k was accepted.

Today, a neighbouring property was posted on Rightmove, and while the internal layout is the same this new property is in much better condition: it looks cleaner and is fully redecorated; the property I'm buying looks tardy in comparison and will need some minor work.

This property has been listed at £425k, which makes me think it will sell close to what i offered (£405k).

I feel I'm overpaying and am tempted to ask for a discount, but, I think, it will be viewed as cheeky as the offer was made 2 weeks ago.

Am I being unreasonable? I don't want to lose out on both.

Your offer was accepted £30k below the asking price.

If you want the other one, then withdraw from the one you’ve offered on and put a offer in for the new one. Not sure why you want a further discount when nothing has changed in 2 weeks.

This.

If you're so confident the 2nd property will sell for £405k then put an offer in.

You could try making an offer on the new property OP, but if you're going to do that, then don't withdraw from the other property first, as they may not be as willing to be as flexible on price. You might even find that the neighbours have discussed the price they accepted from you, and so the new people might think, well if they got £405k for theirs, then as ours is in better condition, we won't accept less than £410, or even as much as full asking price, you never know people's situations. There is also a good chance that if you ask for a reduction at this stage, the Vendors will think you're a game player, and will withdraw from selling to you. House buying is hard enough, so if you're not happy with the price you offered and that has been agreed, then withdraw, but be prepared, Vendors also play games, so don't be surprised if it comes back to bite you on the butt.

Presumably the condition was taken into account when they accepted your offer - 30k below asking is quite a discount. If I was the seller and you asked I’d be massively unimpressed.

Am I the only one wondering how a house can "look tardy"?

Or maybe they've accepted your offer factoring in that there's work needing done. The other house may go for the full asking price if it's in walk in condition.

True, might go above. I am assuming things.

It looks like a boy whose shirt in never tucked in, whose hair is a mess and who is always late.

Fair point, I would be as well

Tbh I understand where you are coming from but if you really want the house be careful a price was agreed and the seller can become annoyed if you asked for a further reduction and basically say no and put it back on the market. The nicer house may attract more buyers and you could end up in a bidding war. It’s a hard one and only you can decide

Put an offer on it, if its accepted then negotiate with the current seller or buy the second one. You gotta think of yourself in these things.

If the second property is in good condition then the sellers are much less likely to accept a lower offer - it’s probably been priced expecting people to offer round the asking price, or to even encourage a bidding war to achieve over asking price.
Forget what your property was advertised at. You’re only paying £405 for yours so that’s what it is worth. But it sounds like with a bit of work you could make it worth the £435 it was originally listed for, or even more.
I’d personally stick with the one you’ve already been accepted on. If you go for the second one it’s much more likely you’ll pay at least the asking price.

You got £30k off the asking price, but you think you should get more money off because another house that “looks cleaner” and has slightly fresher paint is on the market for £20k more than you’re paying? Make it make sense?!

Also, you’re being really short-sighted focusing on things like minor cosmetic work (and I’m guessing you’re a first time buyer). You haven’t mentioned anything about the situation of either property, eg whether there’s a chain. Or about the structural condition of either property.

Honestly, if you ask for a discount you’ll be alerting the sellers to the fact you’re going to be a nightmare and possibly doing them a favour by highlighting this early on. By all means view the other property, but I’m not seeing any reason to ask for more money off, sheesh.

You made an offer you were happy with. Don't be a dick.

The obvious thing to do is make an offer on the other house, not try to get a discount based on what-ifs and maybes.

I would like the law on house sale and purchase to be the same as in Scotland, or a better reform.

So a no from me, as this would rule out your idea.

View the other house and make an offer if you want it. They may or may not accept.

Nothing has actually changed since you made your previous offer.

I'd be more curious as to why two houses next door to each other have gone on the market within such a short period of time.

Also from pricing seems like they're very keen to sell. One accepted 30k below asking and other in better condition has potentially underpriced.

I may be being suspicious and could be very valid reasons for this. But i'd have a nose around local fb community group etc to see if there may be a reason.

Your assumption that because the place you offered on accepted your lower offer, a house in better condition will do the same is flawed. If you offered 30k below, then came back for another discount 2 weeks later, I'd be considering pulling out.

I'd be a bit concerned they were both up for sale at the same time. Have a dig around on the council website. Make sure you get a REALLY good survey. I'd worry there's a problem they both know about.

This. What's being built in the vicinity that's upset the current residents. Also get a survey and use it as bargaining power.

I think “tatty” was possibly meant, as opposed to “tardy”.
I would be careful here, like others have said, you don’t know what the second house might actually go for and it sounds like you got a good price on the one you offered on. Will €20k bring it up to the standard of the new one?

Go and look, put an offer in if you want but if my house was up for £425k I'd not be accepting £405k when it had only just gone on the market.

Unless there is some new information which would mean the price needs to be revised as a seller I would simply say no. if you then withdrew your offer I would not then accept you buying the house at any price going forward. The Estate Agent might also see you as a time waster.