Help me decide - am in a panic

[cansu]

We are trying to buy our first home. Due to our advanced ages it will probably be our forever home. Funds are tight as I had never envisaged having funds until a small inheritance gave me a deposit. Anyway after looking forever finally found somewhere and made an offer. It is quite old semi cottage, very attractive and spacious downstairs though kitchen needs changing which will have to be done later when have cash. Anyway it has been rented for a few years since vendor moved out. Like it v much but am now worried by one or two things and don't know if I am being ridiculous.

1. Bedroom floor is sort of curved with biggish dip. Agent says this is just because it is an older house. Am now worried that my ASD ds jumping up and down on it will reveal it is an issue.
2. Can't check plumbing and electrics because everything turned off due to property being empty.
3. All of downstairs has been redone on insurance after a leak. It is lovely but there is some sign of damp on one of walls just above skirting. Agent says it is due to salt having to come out of somewhere or other, that company who did work are coming out to check and put it right.

I am uneasy. I am a natural worrier anyway and this is massive big deal as won't have lots of spare cash to do repairs. Have now started to think about another house we saw earlier which was also spacious but was modern and looked to be pretty much immaculate. Only problem with it was garden quite overlooked because on modern estate. I have ds with severe disabilities and was concerned about judgy neighbours if he was making lots of noise in garden.

Am I making fuss about nothing? I am driving myself mad and dp as well!

In your situation I would have a full structural survey carried out. Yes, it's an extra outlay you could do without, but could save you thousands in the long run. Has your offer been accepted, I would stipulate to the agent it is being made subject to the survey, if it reports problems you could reduce your offer to cover any issues that have been raised. There may indeed be nothing to worry about and you will have the house you really want. HTH

i agree you've got to have a survey on the property and if they find fault then go in with a lower offer??

put the link to both properties on here so we can have a look and help you decide.

Wonky floors are common in old houses and normally not a problem. I have been told it adds character to the house and some people would love it. However, I have it at my home and I am still uncomfortable about it though I have been here for 4 years. It is just not for me and I am looking to move somewhere newer.
Full structural survey will help!

I would ask the vendor for paperwork on exactly what was claimed on the insurance and give that to your surveyor.

Do you have to choose one of these two houses?

Stop panicking - that is the best way to make a bad decision.

Take your time, step back, wait.

Something else will come up.

If you want this one then get a survey...it is expensive though.

Otherwise can you wait?

Full survey, not from a mortgage company surveyor though get your own.

house sounds lovely- ignore every reassuring word that comes out of the agents mouth. only buy if you know what the issues are (if any) and how much it will cost to put right. you do not need any more worries.

if you love it enough to risk a survey on it i would put in a low offer. if you can agree a price subject to survey, go to survey. tell the vendor that you will require electrics and plumbing to be fully tested so the need to sort that out.

What everyone else says, go for a proper independent survey, not a valuation or anything the mortgage company wants that's cheap, a full structural survey. Speak to the surveyor before he does the survey to tell him about the floor and the damp and ask for specific information about these. There's a big difference between wonky and bouncy when it comes to floors.

On the wiring and plumbing, if it's impossible to turn them on to check them then you could lower the offer by a bit saying specifically this is because you have to protect yourselves against the possibility that plumbing/electrical work needs carrying out.

You really really have to get a full, independent survey done. No question.

If I was going to buy something where you couldn't check the plumbing/electrics etc I would expect it at rock bottom prices so that if they aren't working/are leaking/need replacing then I'd have the money to do it.

... and another one wondering what the rush is? Take your time :)

Thank you for all your replies. Some good advice here. Do I do survey before engaging solicitor or anything else. Have got mortgage broker sourcing mortgage for me. Estate agents hassling me for details about solicitor but haven't done this yet as am waiting for mortgage offer. Do you think I can ask for electrics and water to be put on so I can get them checked?

Forgot to say vendor is apparently a plumber!

Yes, you can and should ask for the water and electricity to be put on, if they can be. It would be expected, and they'll think you're naive or foolish if you don't.

Most people wait until they have a mortgage offer before having a survey done. This is because surveys cost hundreds, and you don't want to pay for one and then find that banks won't give you a mortgage. If you and your broker are certain you'll get one, then you could go ahead with a survey now.

But are you sure this is the house for you? If you're not in a hurry, why not wait and see if something even better comes up?

Good luck!

Thanks Flow. You have calmed me down and actually think yes should slow down, wait for mortgage offer then get it surveyed and yes will insist that I get plumbing and electrics checked before going further. Must remember that it is perfectly normal to get this stuff checked before going ahead with such big purchase. Think I am allowing myself to be bamboozled a bit.

Full survey & insist water & electric go back on. If they won't do this, I'd walk away.