Is there anything I can ask for to sweeten the deal when buying?

[BoBoo]

So I think we're going to buy a house, but we're being pushed up to our very maximum budget on it. Is there anything I can ask for to be included to make it a bit easier to swallow? I was going to ask for all the white goods and any furniture to be left (it's currently being rented so I'm not sure if the furniture is even the vendors at this point). Is there anything else I can try to get?

Curtains/ blinds?

lampshades/light fittings

curtains the most expensive to replace IMO

Thanks - I wouldn't have though to ask for curtains. Can I specify a date I want to complete by?

If you're a cash buyer and not involved in a chain yourself you can, otherwise you might end up souring the deal if you can't then meet that date (but if you're a cash buyer in this market and it's an ex-rental, you shouldn't let them push you to your limits ).

BoBoo - you are a rare thing just now - a cash buyer and one who is going to buy a house. Use this to your advantage (and do think very carefully about pushing yourselves to your max budget; will you be okay once interest rates rise?)
Good luck.

Curtain poles, curtains/blinds should be left anyway I thought, unless they belong to the tennant.

I wouldnt push myself to the maximum amount at the moment, if interest rates rise will you still be able to afford your mortgage? When we were buying (at the peak of the boom) we didnt go too high, we didnt get our 'forever' home, but we did get a house that suits our needs and will never be reposessed due to massive hikes in interest rates. Have watched a few friends struggle and some even have to move house during the downturn in the market, so please be careful.

Do specify which curtains/poles. Our vendor was supposed to leave them in our new house but left rubbish replacements and took the tie-backs etc.

You can practically take anything away - you know this when you fill out the forms to send to the buyer. You could take the carpets, fitted cupboards, sheds - and I am sure a few people out there do

When we bought our current house the vendors took the shed with them!! Couldn't believe it, how much hassle would that have been.

It's the maximum end of our budget, but it is within our budget. We're renting at the moment and have to be out mid-December. We're in London and rental prices are crazy at the moment so we would really struggle to carry on renting somewhere the same size as we have now. It also seems to cost us about 2 grand everytime we move and we have two small children so I just want to have our own house.

We still got 20K off the asking price and I think the house is definitely worth what we're being asked to pay for it.

Check plants/trees etc too - have known people dig them up and take them.
Any garden furniture they can leave?

Lightbulbs - some people do take them!

Just checked a F&F list we have got & would add these:
TV aerial/satellite dish
Light switches/sockets etc. - if these are st/steel specify; some swap for plastic!
Any removable fires/heaters
Loo roll holder/towel rails etc.
Mirrors

I would not have left my white goods, my furniture, or my mirrors when I sold my house. I think the furniture is cheeky tbh. If you think the house is worth it, then pay it, if not, offer less.