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Original poster

Come and hold my hand, if this doesn't result in an offer...

37 replies

angel1976 · 31/01/2011 21:35

Bought our 2-bedroom house in London pretty much near the height of market end-2006. Our timing is rubbish as we thought we would take advantage of the fairly buoyant market summer last year and put it on the market. By the time we got round to doing it (in September), the market had pretty much taken a nosedive. So since then, we have had plenty of viewings but only one (fairly) low offer, which turned out not to be genuine. Of course, we then go and find out dream house, which we put in a low offer on (just under 12%) based on our low offer which didn't work out in the end...). Have been to see lots of houses but this is it. We want somewhere we can stay for a while and this house is big, gorgeously done up (DIY is not our forte) and will see us through till the kids (have two DSs) are at least teenagers or more. This house has not had any offers either though I suspect that has to do with price (if they get asking price, it will break the ceiling for that street). Even agent has admitted it is likely to go for less.

And we have managed to borrow some money off money that will see us being able to raise our offer but we still need an offer on ours to even start negotiating... So now we have had a second viewing on our place last Friday. And agent has called today to organise a 3rd viewing! Shock Turns out that it's two retired vicars who are interested: one has now seen it twice and the other only once, hence the third viewing. It's a starter home (target market would be young professionals or young families) though I can see how it could be attractive to them: there's two good size bedrooms and two bathrooms and they are on separate floors so they would have their own 'floor'.

I've kept so calm through the whole process knowing that stressing would not help at all. But I am getting so sick of the cleaning up before the viewings (a nightmare with two small boys), having to accommodate viewing times (tomorrow's is right smack bang in the middle of DS2's nap. which means I have to try and get him down for an early nap and clean the house at the same time!). And getting my hopes up, why on earth would anyone arrange a third viewing if they are not truly interested??!!!! I have been speaking to the agent who is representing the house we want to buy and he is really nice and he knows we are genuine in wanting the house.

If they don't make an offer after tomorrow's viewing, I feel like giving up and just moving DS2 (who is still in with us!) with DS1 into one room and be done with it. We so need the space though... Argh!!!!!!! I am already stressing out about how to work it tomorrow so I can clean the house AND keep two small toddlers entertained... Confused

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itstheyearzero · 01/02/2011 05:52

Oh God I feel your pain. The whole cleaning up /hiding all the toys and clutter before every viewing drove me insane!! We tried to sell last year and it was so stressful. We gave up in the end, rented the house out and bought another one using the rental from the old one as income for mortgage purposes. Would that be an option? Hope the viewings go OK and you get your offer!

JenL · 01/02/2011 09:50

I know exactly how you feel! We bought our flat in London at peak prices and decided to sell last year as we needed more space for DD1; it took us 8 months, 3 offers falling through, all within 24 hours of completion and a price drop of 12% from our original asking price. It was a pretty torturous year tbh, but here's letting you know that it did work out in the end, which means it will for you as well. We are currently in rented, looking for the perfect dream home, knowing that we are in a great position as buyers. The best part? Not having an immaculate house - it's pretty much heaven being able to make a mess and just not care!

Original poster
angel1976 · 01/02/2011 11:33

itstheyearzero Thanks for the sympathy... The thing is we want to buy our 'forever' house and for that, we need to sell. We can rent this out and buy/rent somewhere else but it would just mean another move in the next 3-4 years so we might as well stay put iykwim.

JenL At this stage, we don't even mind selling at a slight loss. We have already dropped almost 10% in price since it's been on the market. It won't be ideal but if we had to drop the price slightly more, then so be it but we need an offer first! Argh!

We are now sitting gingerly in the living room, hoping the kids won't make a mess till it's time to head out of the door... Thanks for the sympathy...

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itstheyearzero · 01/02/2011 20:56

Good luck! Let us know how it all goes...

Original poster
angel1976 · 01/02/2011 21:08

Thanks! Viewing was for 2.30pm and I took the DCs out and returned at 3.30pm and they were still here! I 'took refuge' at my neighbours' until they left. Not sure if that is a good sign or not they stayed so long (or they could have just been late!).

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itstheyearzero · 01/02/2011 21:11

Ooh that sounds positive, (try not to get your hopes up though)...fingers crossed you get an offer tomorrow.

greedychops · 01/02/2011 21:17

Angel - I feel your pain too. Been on the Market for 2 1/2 years now, changed estate agents once - had quite a few viewings but just no proper offers. Second viewing on Sat -they seemed really keen on the first viewing but I have not looked at house websites as I feel I always tempt fate by doing so.

But pleeeease. Surely this time. Fingers crossed for you.

Original poster
angel1976 · 01/02/2011 21:37

greedychops Fingers crossed for you too! We have not had a second viewing ever, lots of first viewings! So it's hard not to get your hopes up when that happens.

itstheyearzero I will let you know if anything happens. I'm meant to talk to the agent of the house we love tomorrow. Argh, head exploding!

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dejavuaswell · 02/02/2011 08:37

Second viewings are always a good sign. It might be that you are down to the final two or three of the many houses the prospective buyer has looked at.

Good luck.

Original poster
angel1976 · 03/02/2011 20:16

Just wanted to update you all: We did get an offer but it was low, 10% off asking price and below what we paid for it in 2006. They won't budge. DH and I decided to make one last pitch for our dream house and made an offer of 10% less asking as well.

Hopefully we will hear tomorrow. If dream house doesn't get the go-ahead, we are saying no to the sale and pulling the house off the market while we re-think the whole situation. To be honest, we have been very happy in this house and we need the space but hell, the kids are still little and they haven't noticed! Grin Stay tuned!

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lalalonglegs · 03/02/2011 20:41

10% under and they're vicars Shock!

MrsSharp · 03/02/2011 20:54

We got gazumped by a vicar, once - when I was pregnant...and it was nearly Xmas!!!!!

Hope you get some good news!

Original poster
angel1976 · 03/02/2011 21:06

The agent selling our house called me this evening (6-ish) to say he was out all day and he just came back to his office to see a flurry of emails from the vicars to ask about what's happening? I said I called the agent of the house we want to buy and he's out of office today so nothing I can do.

You know what, they won't even budge on the price, they are trying to get a bargain as our house is worth more than that! I asked the agent to ask them if they will increase just by £5k and they won't. I am in half a mind at the moment to just call off the sale (and everything else!). Been very unhappy with agent and I just want some peace for a few months now... :( MrsSharp That doesn't sound too good. I get a feeling it won't be good news. Sigh I feel like I need to retreat and lick my war wounds! :(

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itstheyearzero · 03/02/2011 21:09

Bloody vicars! Don't do anything rash, hopefully the offer on uour dream house will be accepted. You never know, the owners of that house may be in a similar position yo you. Good luck, hope you get some sleep tonight!

Original poster
angel1976 · 03/02/2011 21:14

itsayearzero Thanks! The thing is if we accept the offer, we are taking a £13k loss, which isn't a small amount but the reasoning we have applied to it is that if that puts us in a great bargaining position (CoE is buying our house so it's considered a 'cash buyer'), then it might help us save even more on our dream house as our current offer to them is 10% off their asking, which is almost 4X our financial loss from selling our house cheap. Does that make sense? Or are we being silly about this?

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itstheyearzero · 04/02/2011 06:04

It makes perfect sense to me. If you can get your dream house out of it then why not? Keeping everything crossed for you!

frenchfancy · 04/02/2011 06:34

Fingers crossed for you angel

I think you should consider accepting the vicars. An offer in the hand is worth two in the bush, and cash buyers are few and far between. 13k is alot of money, but if you get your dream house it is worth it; Don't loose you dream house for the sake of a few k.

AlpinePony · 04/02/2011 08:34

Why are you offering only 10% under for the "dream house" which the agent says is overpriced and you yourself see that it would be the ceiling for that street! Shock Surely 10% off should've been more like they're asking price- and then you start negotiating down!

Tbh, I'd take the hit of 13k and move on with your life. You are unlikely to find another cash buyer who wants to go "now".

AlpinePony · 04/02/2011 08:35

(their Blush )

Original poster
angel1976 · 04/02/2011 09:37

AlpinePony It's really hard to judge in terms of house prices. There was another very similar house we liked next street along and that sold in December and we just found out that it sold for very close to what we have offered on this house and that was on the market for £25k more initially! So we think we have offered them a very fair price. I doubt they will get a better offer. Also, we have already made a lower offer than that that got turned down (we did have another offer on the table then, which turned out not to be genuine). Even though the agent says it's overpriced, he thinks it will still go for £30-£35k more than what we are offering so we shall wait and see... The drama of it all! I'm prepared today to give my agent a bollocking and pull the house off the market. I'm done with it for now! I told my DH I just want to live in the house for a few months without having to keep it looking like a showhouse with two little boys!

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Original poster
angel1976 · 04/02/2011 09:38

Thanks for all your support, it helps to have someone to 'talk' to!

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AlpinePony · 04/02/2011 09:49

Funny the way it's all gone isn't it? Confused Until the "madness" of the last decade it was completely normal to offer 15% under (at least!) and settle for 10% under.

You're right though - they won't get a better offer!

I totally understand about the whole keeping it clean thing. I've got a baby, a man Grin and 2 dogs. Homes & Gardens we ain't!

Original poster
angel1976 · 04/02/2011 10:14

This morning I had to get the boys out quick as I work in the office today. So as we left, the living room is strewn with bedding and toys and milk bottles, the kitchen has clean (DS2 thinks it's fun taking all the clothes off the clothes horse) AND dirty (DS1's nappy leaked last night sigh) clothes, there's books and toys all strewn along the hall... Anyone who walks in now will think we've been robbed! :)

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lalamom · 05/02/2011 01:42

okay so i would bite the vicars hands off......10% is a reasonable discount in this market. They are talking of a double dip in the market

Original poster
angel1976 · 05/02/2011 20:59

Just heard today that sellers of the house we want has turned down our offer so we are going to turn down the other offer as there is nothing out there that fits our criteria. Bummer! :(

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