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Original poster

Moral dilemma - offer accepted on a house we like but...

51 replies

Tinker · 24/09/2006 16:54

...house we originally were outbid on by a "cash buyer" is now back on the market. Just spotted it today. What would you do?

Like both houses - house A (one offer not accepted on) is detached and more expensive with not as pretty a garden

House B - in good location, affordable mortgage payments but a semi and the rooms are slightly smaller.

But, would be wary of treating people shoddily in case it all came back and bit me on the bum.

Both for sale through same agent...

OP posts:
SherlockLGJ · 24/09/2006 16:54

If they shafted you once they could do it again. IMO

Original poster
Tinker · 24/09/2006 16:56

No chain with house A and wants a quick sale, I think

OP posts:
LIZS · 24/09/2006 17:04

How far have you progressed with house B ? If you prefer A then ask the agent if they are likely to accept your previous initial offer. awkward as it is same agent . They could have told you direct themselves though if they'd suspected you may still be interested but you risk destroying your credibility as a buyer of either by asking. Are you prepared to risk losing both ?

Original poster
Tinker · 24/09/2006 18:20

Losing both would be terrible. Agent did originally tell us that they would let us know about House A if sale fell through, having given the other purchasers 4 weeks to sort it out. That was 3 weeks ago and do think it has just this weekend fallen through. But, yes, difficult situation for agent and us.

And I don't want to be teh shi**y kind of person who does things like that. So why am I in a dilemma then????

OP posts:
CarolinaMoon · 24/09/2006 18:25

tbh, B sounds better in a lot of ways.

Do you really prefer A?

WideWebWitch · 24/09/2006 18:26

Put an offer in on the house you want, it's too important to worry about other people's feelings, you've got to live there. So make an offer on the one you like and withdraw the other offer if it's accepted. That's what I'd do.

saadia · 24/09/2006 18:27

agree with www, an offer is not binding, you are allowed to change your mind.

WideWebWitch · 24/09/2006 18:28

Look, if house A is house of dreams and agent knows this he should be trying to sell it to you, knowing you want it. House B will sell. And if house A is in another agents window someone else will sell it, it might as well be him. The other people will understand, these things happen all the time, people change their minds, circumstances change, offers fall through. It's not a done deal until you've exchanged.

hunkermunker · 24/09/2006 18:30

It's where you will be living. You have to be happy there. Go with the one you like best and hope for the best.

Original poster
Tinker · 24/09/2006 18:30

House A = stretching ourselves.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tinker · 24/09/2006 18:31

And not necessarily house of our dreams but teh detached aspect is good bearing in mind neighbour problems I've had here.

Oh god, why is nothing straightforward?

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 24/09/2006 18:33

Massively? What happens if interest rates go up, will you still be able to afford it? Or have you fixed the rate? Will moving there now mean you can stay there a long time? Will dp's salary increase so it won't be such a stretch in the future? If you take all these things into consideration and it's ok then I would go for it. It depends on how much of a stretch you feel comfortable with.

WideWebWitch · 24/09/2006 18:34

Detatched aspect might also be good if you want to extend it at some point or sell.

Original poster
Tinker · 24/09/2006 18:36

Well, beyond our comfort zone but actually still affordable when I read about how some people stretch themsleves. But rules out ability to overpay which we both would like to do - me being old.

House B in better location, I think - closer to shops, town centre, good parks...

OP posts:
ScummyMummy · 24/09/2006 18:42

I think I would go for the prettier garden with slightly smaller rooms and no money worries unless I loved the alternative one with all my heart. But then I don't really care about detachedness per se... though if I'd had your previous neighbour problem I might care more. What do partner and fab daughter no 1 think?

CarolinaMoon · 24/09/2006 18:44

I would stick with B. Good location etc is worth a lot when you sell, and will be better to live in.

It's not worth risking both when B is a good buy, imho.

ScummyMummy · 24/09/2006 18:45

location location location as they say... And you'd have more money for luxuries and that's a real bonus imo.

edam · 24/09/2006 18:51

I wouldn't worry about offending anyone - buy the house you want to buy. An offer isn't legally binding. You just have to decide which house you actually want. Think about where you really want to be - in a year's time, if you buy B, will you still be hankering after A?

Joolstoo · 24/09/2006 18:54

I'd offer on the first house again but knock a couple of grand off your first offer. If they've been messed about they may be ready to get rid! They can only say 'no'

Original poster
Tinker · 24/09/2006 19:06

Partner thinks stick with B. More financially cautious and we both prefer the location. Think house A is more "us" looking - stripped floors as opposed to Amtico floors. Also think it's underpriced and a bit of a bargain. But that means others will too and there might be another scrap for it. Not told (in disgrace after last night's behaviour) daughter no 1 since house A is nearer current best friend - that's her only criteria

I know offer not binding but I do like to think of myself as a bit ethical . I'd hate it being done to me.

Will ring agent tomorrow and sound them out about our vendor's position and ask why House A back on the market.

£24k difference in price between the 2.

OP posts:
CarolinaMoon · 24/09/2006 19:07

but you can change the decor once you're in there. And you'll have more spare cash to do it with

ScummyMummy · 24/09/2006 19:15

Well, good luck mon ami. I wish I knew more about these things but am afraid I am ignorant as an ignorant thing. I think it really depends if A is a dreamhouse or significantly more so than B and I'm not really clear on whether it is from what you've said so far.

Hope in disgrace daughter bucks up and gets out of disgrace soon and love her criteria for moving.

RTKangaMummy · 24/09/2006 19:16

I don't know anything about selling/buying houses but which has the better schools near it????

Original poster
Tinker · 24/09/2006 19:19

Wouldn't involve a change of schools for eldest. House B has, seemingly, marginally better primary when time comes for yongest. But both are acceptable schools.

Scummy - I'm a dithering Libran, need to be told the answer.

OP posts:
ScummyMummy · 24/09/2006 19:32

Are you now?

Ok then- I say B. It's a nicer area, has a nicer garden, has opportunity for you to put your stamp on it by ripping up Amtico, nearer nice primary school, partner likes it, it's cheaper, you keep the moral highground, you end the hassle and anxiety of looking for houses and don't have to start bargaining all over again. No contest, imo.

Love from an eccentric humanitarian Aquarius who knows nothing about buying houses but was moved by your plea for a definite answer.