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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 · 05/02/2011 21:33

Sad sorry to hear that. I was hoping things would work out for you. Bugger.

solo · 05/02/2011 21:53

Angel, how many people in the chain up?
When I bought my house, the valuation came back at £7k less than the asking price as they (the vendors) were in negative equity. The estate agent asked each of the chain if they would chip in an amount in order that I'd still buy the house, therefore not collapsing the chain and everyone ending up at square one again. They all did. Maybe this could work for you?

angel1976 · 05/02/2011 22:06

Thanks for the sympathy itsayearzero and solo. Unfortunately they finally told their agent how much they want for the house and it's £35k over what we offered. I don't think they will get that TBH but in that case, we can't negotiate anymore as we literally have offered pretty much everything! solo I doubt everyone will chip in for us for that amount! LOL. But thank you for the thought...

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solo · 05/02/2011 22:11

No, I don't think £35k is a reasonable amount to request. I'm so sorry for you, it's so stressful but you know what they say...'if it's meant to be' and 'everything happens for a reason' so there has to be something else in the pipeline for you I'm sure :)

angel1976 · 05/02/2011 22:15

Yes solo I'm taking a philosophical view on this. What will be, will be. Who wants to sell their lovely family home to 2 vicars anyway? Grin

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solo · 05/02/2011 22:21

Exactly! angel. Sod em eh? Grin

angel1976 · 05/02/2011 23:05

Thanks for the support solo! Grin

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angel1976 · 05/02/2011 23:05

We need a emoticon! LOL.

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AlpinePony · 06/02/2011 07:26

35k? Hmm What a pair of whackjobs! So basically they're asking peak 2007 prices and expecting to get it - when almost everyone else in the Western world knows that the UK property market is not sitting pretty? Hmm Where indeed is that twirly finger emoticon? Grin

I hope you can look back at this one day and think "Thank god we didn't throw an extra 35k at this" - I mean you wouldn't pay 25k for an 18k car would you just because the owner paid 25k in 2007.

It'll be interesting for you to keep an eye on that house and see if it gets sold or not.

We've just bought somewhere and I preferred the kitchen of another place (yes I know, small job to fix and it didn't have double-glazing, etc., etc.) - anyway, they rejected our offer (we're not in UK) - since then interest rates have risen, mortgage lenders have tightened borrowing rules AND they're still asking the same. Um, good luck with that! Thing is, if they'd dropped their price they'd be shot of it - as it is they're still paying the mortgage on 2 houses, 2 lots of council tax, blah-di-blah-di-blah.

angel1976 · 06/02/2011 10:57

AlpinePony You know what? If they got asking price for their house, they would break the ceiling price for their road by about £60k!!!!!! It's nuts. Also, we checked land registry and they bought the house in 1995 for about an eighth of their asking price. :( Anyway, we have offered what we feel the house is worth so this is it... We are not stupid and not going to get ourselves into a financial tightspot just for a house...

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angel1976 · 06/02/2011 11:06

And they have had ONE other offer other than ours that was lower than our first offer? WTF??????

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Fiddledee · 06/02/2011 12:22

There are alot of people out there that will only move for the right price. This is what we have found. Assessing how much the vendors want to sell and for what reasons is really important. The 3Ds -death, divorce, downsizing although in this market even the downsizers are often unwilling to sell unless its the right price. Good luck.

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