Close to exchange but considering pulling out (we are buying). WWYD? Urgent advice needed please!

[Gincognito]

We just got the last of the detailed reports recommended by our home purchase survey. The quote for drainage is just over £7000 (!) which brings the total to over £11,000.

We haven't had quotes for some repointing and a small amount of work on the roof - I estimate a few hundred and we were happy with this as the property is early 1900s. We also haven't had anyone look at the boiler/central heating which is obviously a mistake as there are likely to be issues here, too.

We just don't have this kind of money - we were prepared to spend 2-3k but we also need new furniture. We have virtually nothing.

The last quote only came in yesterday evening so I haven't been able to speak to the estate agent yet. What should I do? How much is reasonable to expect them to pay? I feel terribly guilty already about spoiling their Christmas (they had been hoping to exchange before) and the estate agent is putting a lot of pressure on me, ringing a couple of times every day. Luckily our solicitor is a proper dragon and has no problem telling theirs exactly where to go when they send 'outraged' emails asking why we're not ready.

What should we do? Try to negotiate on the quotes we already have? Insist on getting someone in to look at the CH/boiler too? Pull out and look for another house, writing off the £1500 we've already spent?

For info, we are FTB and they are keen to move. But they must have their own budget issues too, with a young family. I'm trying hard to be dispassionate but it's not naturally my style so I do worry about them. But obviously about my own dh and ds more. I don't want us to own a house we can't afford to furnish!

We had this with an old property. We queried the drain rods under the shed and the seller blamed teenagers using too much loo paper for blocking the drains. We had the drains investigated and found similar problems to yours - we knocked it off the price.

I think it would be a rare occurrence if buyers and sellers remain on good terems.

Stay strong and stand your ground. You have the upper hand.

When you've had all your reports you will still have to make your own judgement on whether to go ahead or not. Nobody, no surveyor, builder, tradesperson or professional is going to put their neck on the line for your peace of mind.
At any point of course, the vendor may get fed up of it all and walk away from the deal, leaving you well out of pocket.
You've got to look after your interests, but if you followed the multiple report process on every house you make an offer on, you'll soon get through your deposit cash.
How much reassurance do you need? At some point you'll have to make a decision. How much money do you spend before you're ready and able to make that decision?
Is it possible you're just not ready for the whole home ownership thing yet - there's a lot to be said for avoiding the risks entirely.

I think it would be a rare occurrence if buyers and sellers remain on good terems.

What a shame if that's the case. The last house we bought we dealt directly with the vendors and as two sets of reasonable people, the purchase went very smoothly. I often think that without all the third parties involved, masking the fact that both buyers and sellers are real people with feelings, there'd be far fewer fall-outs.

Who knows how it's going to go this time for us, but again I'm starting off with the feeling that we're decent reasonable people, as are the vendors and hopefully the buyers of our house. There might be hiccups but we all want the same thing - not to be dicked around and for the whole process to go as smoothly as possible.

Thank you all, this is very useful.

Londonlottie, I know what you mean. I'm a decent person (if slightly inexperienced and nervous). They're decent people. We're certainly not trying to dick them around! I'm sure we'll work something out.

Good luck Gin

Yes, good luck to you :) Have you had more thoughts as to what you're going to do?

Hi London - I agree, it is usually the third parties who muddy the waters. But with money involved and high emotions, it can be an explosive situation.

We're getting a second opinion on the drains, and an electrician friend to look at the electrical report to get his estimate (he didn't do the job as we live quite a way from where we're buying).

I really hope it all works out. In so many ways the house is perfect for us!

Thanks again, all.